MUMBAI: UTV Software Communications Ltd (UTV), today filed the prospectus with the Stocks and Exchange Board of India for entering the capital market with a public issue of 5,999,950 equity shares of Rs10 each through a 100 percent book building process. The IPO is expected to happen sometime between September and November 2004.
 

The maiden public issue by UTV comprises a fresh issue of 3,000,000 equity shares and an offer for sale of 2,999,950 equity shares of Rs10 each. This includes a reservation of 299,950 equity shares for employees on a competitive basis. The net offer issue to public of 5,700,000 equity shares would constitute 31.68 per cent of the fully diluted post issue paid-up capital of the company, says an official release. For the 10-month period ending January 2004, the company posted revenues of Rs 871 million and a PAT of Rs 85.2 million.

The proceeds funds from the IPO will be used for enhancement of production facility and office infrastructure, investment in UTV's own kids channel (Hungama TV), funding of SFX and post-production expansion, working on growth plans in studio and post production infrastructure to cope with its augmented requirements and capital requirements for its film movie distribution initiatives and general corporate purposes.

The issue, according to the company, is being made through 100 per cent book building process, wherein up to 50 per cent of the Net Offer Issue to Public will be allocated to Qualified Institutional Buyers on a discretionary basis, not less than 25 per cent of the Net Offer Issue to Public would be allocated to Non-Institutional Investors and not less than 25 per cent of the Net Offer Issue to Public, would be allocated to Retail Individual Investors on a proportionate basis, subject to valid bids being received from them at or above the Issue Price, says the release.

Claiming to be the only Indian content creation media company with multiple revenue streams from activities that span the gamut of media and include movie production, movie distribution, TV programming, animation, SFX, air time sales and investment in broadcast channels, UTV says its customer base includes companies like Walt Disney, Times Warner, Fox, National Geographic Channel and The History Channel.

The lead manager to the issue is Enam Financial Consultants and co-book running lead manager is IL& FS Investsmart. The shares are proposed to be listed on the Mumbai Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.