SeaChange International, Inc.
(OTC: SEAC)
(“SeaChange” or the “Company”), a leading provider of video
delivery, advertising, streaming platforms, and emerging
Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV services (FAST)
development, has entered into an asset purchase agreement (the
“Purchase Agreement”) under which an affiliate of Partner One, one
of the fastest-growing software conglomerates in the world, will
acquire substantially all of SeaChange’s assets related to its
product and services business (the “Asset Sale”), and will assume
certain liabilities, for a purchase price of $30 million, less
SeaChange’s cash and cash equivalents at closing (the “Closing”).
SeaChange has traditionally supported clients’
Operator TV systems, Advanced Advertising insertion platforms, the
StreamVid streaming enablement solution, and the Xstream FAST
channel service platform. The Company currently expects the
transaction will result in net proceeds to SeaChange of between
$13-15 million upon Closing.
The Asset Sale, which has been approved by
SeaChange’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), is subject to various
terms and closing conditions, including approval by a majority of
the shares of SeaChange’s outstanding common stock. Subject to such
closing conditions, the Closing is expected to occur in the first
quarter of SeaChange’s fiscal year 2025.
“As previously reported, SeaChange has been
active in evaluating its strategic alternatives to increase the
scale of its technology platforms and leverage its software
engineering teams, and we could not be more excited to partner with
a world-class organization like Partner One for this journey. Our
decision to monetize our product lines and sell our assets to a
much larger and more experienced software company, like Partner
One, is very positive news for our customers and is expected to
generate new opportunities for our customers and teams,” said
SeaChange’s Chief Executive Officer, Chris Klimmer. “With Partner
One’s acquisition of these assets, SeaChange will be able to
enhance its offerings to customers and continue to win market share
in the dynamic PayTV, Video advertising and streaming markets.”
“We are thrilled to welcome SeaChange’s renowned
streaming and advertising technology into our portfolio.
SeaChange's track record of innovation and customer satisfaction
aligns perfectly with our mission to empower businesses with
market-leading technologies and impeccable service. Leveraging
Partner One's financial strength and the collective expertise,
SeaChange's technology will continue to drive success and
profitability for operators, broadcasters, and content owners
worldwide," emphasized Nick Riuma, Principal at Partner One.
Following the Closing, the Company will retain
its cash and cash equivalents, and U.S. and state net operating
loss carryforwards (“NOLs”), which may be available to offset
future tax income.
The Purchase Agreement provides that, during the
period beginning on the execution date of the Purchase Agreement
and continuing until 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on April 8th,
2024, SeaChange and its subsidiaries have the right to, directly or
indirectly: (i) encourage, solicit, initiate, facilitate or
continue inquiries regarding an offer or proposal that constitutes,
or could reasonably be expected to lead to, an acquisition proposal
and (ii) enter into discussions or negotiations with any person
concerning a possible acquisition proposal; provided however,
SeaChange and its subsidiaries will not disclose any non-public
information about Partner One or the Asset Sale and related
transactions, without prior written approval of Partner One. There
can be no assurances that the solicitation of such possible
acquisition proposals will result in a Superior Proposal (as
defined in the Purchase Agreement). It is not anticipated that any
developments will be disclosed with regard to this process unless
the Board makes an affirmative decision to proceed with a Superior
Proposal. In addition, SeaChange may, subject to the terms of the
Purchase Agreement, respond to unsolicited, bona fide, written
alternative acquisition proposals. The Purchase Agreement also
contains a $1 million termination fee payable to Partner One in
connection with the termination of the Purchase Agreement under
certain circumstances, such as consummation of an alternative
acquisition transaction in connection with a Superior Proposal.
In addition, concurrently with the execution of
the Purchase Agreement, a significant stockholder (the “Significant
Stockholder”) of the Company, that cumulatively owns 30.5% of the
shares of SeaChange’s outstanding common stock, has entered into a
voting agreement with Partner One pursuant to which the Significant
Stockholder has agreed, subject to the terms and conditions
therein, to vote its shares of common stock of the Company to
approve the Asset Sale at the SeaChange special meeting of
stockholders.
Needham & Company, LLC is acting as
exclusive financial advisor to SeaChange in this transaction, and
K&L Gates LLP is acting as legal counsel to SeaChange in this
transaction.
Other News—Suspension of the Tax
Benefits Preservation Plan to Protect Tax AssetsAs
disclosed earlier, on August 16, 2023, SeaChange approved and
adopted a Tax Benefits Preservation Plan (the “Rights Agreement”),
by and between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A.,
as rights agent. The Board adopted the Rights Agreement to reduce
the likelihood that future acquisitions of SeaChange common shares
would result in an “ownership change,” as defined in
Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
thereby limiting the Company’s ability to use its NOLs to reduce
the Company’s potential future income tax obligations. On
March 7, 2024, the Board approved a suspension of the Rights
Agreement; however, the Board, in its sole discretion, may
reinstate the Rights Agreement.
About SeaChange International,
Inc.SeaChange International, Inc. (OTC: SEAC) provides
first-class video streaming, linear TV, and video advertising
technology for operators, content owners, and broadcasters
globally. SeaChange technology enables operators, broadcasters, and
content owners to cost-effectively launch and grow premium linear
TV and direct-to-consumer streaming services to manage, curate, and
monetize their content. SeaChange helps protect existing and
develop new and incremental advertising revenues for traditional
linear TV and streaming services with its unique advertising
technology. SeaChange enjoys a rich heritage of nearly three
decades of delivering premium video software solutions to its
global customer base.
About Partner OnePartner One is
one of the fastest-growing enterprise software groups in the world,
with a proven track record of acquiring and growing enterprise
software companies. Over 1,200 enterprises and government
organizations rely on Partner One software, including 80% of the
largest companies in the world. For more information, please visit:
PartnerOne.com
Forward-Looking StatementsThis
press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
In general, forward-looking statements usually may be identified
through use of words such as “may,” “believe,” “expect,”
“anticipate,” “intend,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,”
“predict,” “continue”, and “potential,” or the negative of these
terms, or other comparable terminology, and include statements
related the amount of net proceeds SeaChange receives from the
transaction, the ability and timing to close the Asset Sale, the
ability to generate new opportunities for our customers and
employees, the ability to enhance the Company’s offerings to
customers and continue to win market share in the dynamic PayTV,
Video advertising and streaming markets, NOLs availability to
offset tax income in the future, and the ability of SeaChange's
technology to continue to drive success and profitability for
operators, broadcasters, and content owners worldwide.
Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and represent
management’s beliefs, based upon information available at the time
the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed; they
are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may prove
to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by
the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that
change over time that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements.
Many of the factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in or implied by forward-looking
statements are beyond the ability of the Company or Partner One to
control or predict. Stockholders and investors should not place
undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Any
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press
release, and neither SeaChange nor Partner One undertakes any
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events, or
otherwise, except as required by law.
Contact:SeaChange International
1.978.897.0100info@schange.com
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