News and Press Coverage from the Sit-Up web site. worth another look.
Sit-up channels closes license deal
Released 22/07/05
London 22nd July 2005 - Pacific Media today announces that it and its wholly-owned subsidiary Pacific Media Asia Auctions Limited (PMAA), have entered into a licensing agreement (Agreement) with sit-up Limited ("sit-up"), conditional upon certain matters described below. The license has been granted for the exclusive right for PMAA to copy, adapt and exploit the price-drop tv and bid tv television channels and website formats, and the intellectual property rights that underpin these formats (including the know how required to operate the formats successfully and the bespoke elements of the computer systems) for any media or retail platform (the Format) in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Pacific Media will guarantee the obligations of PMAA under the Agreement.
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company and PMAA aim to launch sit-up branded television channels in each of the regions the license covers. These branded channels will operate alongside the Companys existing TV home-shopping operations. Subject to obtaining the appropriate funding and shareholder consents needed, the Directors expect to launch the Format during the third quarter of 2006.
Under the Agreement, PMAA will pay to sit-up license fees of US$14.0 million plus, over the first 28 months following the first anniversary of the launch, royalties totaling US$6,427,988 and thereafter will pay two per cent of turnover relating to the Format for the remainder of the term of the Agreement. sit-up will also be granted an option to subscribe for 219,298,246 new Ordinary Shares of the Company at nominal value.
The license has an initial term of 20 years, with options to extend the term for up to 50 years, provided certain minimum turnover and broadcasting hours conditions are satisfied.
As previously announced by the Company, the right to enter into the Agreement was previously held by MediaXposure Limited (MediaXposure), a related party to the Company. MediaXposure and the Company have worked together in investigating this opportunity. Subject to shareholder approval, the Company has agreed for PMAA to acquire such rights and has agreed to reimburse MediaXposure all costs and expenses incurred by it, amounting to US$1,700,000, plus interest, and has agreed to pay MediaXposure an additional sum of US$500,000.
The Agreement and the arrangements with MediaXposure are each subject to the Company obtaining relevant shareholder consents, and are also subject to receipt by the Company of the appropriate funds required to finance the matters set out in the Agreement. The Directors are currently reviewing a number of fundraising opportunities which they intend to update shareholders on in due course.
sit-up is one of the UKs fastest growing TV retailers, hosting a portfolio of TV home shopping channels that currently consists of bid tv, price-drop tv and Screenshop. sit-up's live channels have a collective customer base of over 2 million people and its channels are watched each month by in excess of 5 million viewers. sit-up, which was launched in 2000, achieved turnover for the year ended 31 December 2004 of 206.1 million and profit before tax of 11.5 million. sit-up is ultimately owned by Telewest Global Inc, the broadband communications company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Screenshop Ltd.
Building on the solid progress we have made since the start of the year, this significant agreement with sit-up brings us closer to achieving Pacific Medias key aims: firstly, to become one of this regions most innovative retailers; and secondly, to deliver value to our shareholders and customers commented Pacific Medias Executive Chairman, Darren Shaw, from Hong Kong. Our operations have turned the corner, and this agreement with sit-up, a fast-growing business led by a young and innovative management team, provides a perfectly complementary platform for Pacific Media to build sustainable long term growth.
sit-up Founder Director Ashley Faull welcomed the Agreement with Pacific Media, stating: The professionalism, experience and local knowledge of the Pacific Media team in Asia provides us with a strong alliance with which we can leverage our highly successful and unique channel concepts in the exciting markets across China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Further details of the Agreement and the arrangements with MediaXposure will also be provided to shareholders in due course.
http://www.sit-up.tv/news/2005/news_pr220705.htm