Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE), one
of the largest operators of advertising-supported video-on-demand
(AVOD) streaming services, and Redbox Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq:
RDBX), a leading entertainment company, have entered into a
definitive agreement under which Chicken Soup for the Soul
Entertainment will acquire Redbox.
The combination of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Entertainment and Redbox will create a leading independent,
integrated direct-to-consumer media platform delivering premium
entertainment for value conscious consumers. The combined company
will have increased scale across content production and
distribution, with a massive content library, more than 38,000
kiosks nationwide, extensive digital capabilities in AVOD, TVOD,
PVOD, and FAST, and access to millions of targeted customers,
including nearly 40 million Redbox Perks members.
Together, the combined companies will have the
industry’s premier, independent AVOD platforms, one of the fastest
growing segments of the overall entertainment industry. According
to a recent study by IAB, ad spending on connected TV platforms
increased 57% from 2020 to 2021 and is expected to increase another
39% this year.
“Today marks a transformative moment for Chicken
Soup for the Soul Entertainment and an inflection point for the
ad-supported streaming industry,” said William J. Rouhana Jr.,
chairman and chief executive officer of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Entertainment. “Our acquisition of Redbox will accelerate the
scaling of our business as it combines complementary teams and
services to create the streaming industry’s premier independent
AVOD. Redbox has 40 million customers in its loyalty program and
high-potential digital television assets including carriage of over
130 FAST digital channels on its Free Live TV platform, as well as
a robust TVOD and PVOD platform. Together, we will build a fully
developed AVOD and FAST streaming business: proven branded
streaming services, formidable content and production capabilities,
and a strong AVOD and FAST ad sales operation.”
“We believe that Chicken Soup for the Soul
Entertainment is the ideal partner for Redbox. By joining forces,
we will accelerate Redbox’s transition from a physical to high
growth digital media company and be the only entertainment provider
truly focused on value for consumers,” said Galen Smith, chief
executive officer of Redbox. “This all-stock transaction provides
Redbox stockholders with the opportunity to participate in the
significant near- and long-term upside potential of a diversified
and growing company with greater scale and resources. With our
footprint of more than 38,000 kiosks, diverse content libraries and
combined streaming platforms, we will be well positioned to deliver
consumers a wealth of high-quality entertainment options.”
Rouhana continued, “More and more viewers are
embracing ad-supported streaming offerings in a content environment
characterized by cord-cutting and saturation of high-priced
subscription services. Near term, these conditions are even more
acute against a macro backdrop of rising inflation and economic
uncertainty. With the combination of a large content library,
digital AVOD and FAST channel capabilities, and an expanding global
audience, we believe that we will be able to deliver more exciting
premium entertainment for millions of value conscious viewers and
drive further growth and value creation for our stockholders.”
Financially Compelling
The combination is expected to be accretive to
Adjusted EBITDA in 2023, with numerous opportunities to cross-sell
each company’s customer base across digital properties, distribute
Screen Media titles via Redbox kiosks and leverage tech and
know-how to fully capitalize on Redbox’s AVOD opportunity. The
company expects to deliver annual-run rate cost synergies in excess
of $40 million in 2023. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment
expects that the combined company will exit 2022 with a run-rate
exceeding $500 million of revenue and $100 - $150 million of
Adjusted EBITDA.
Transaction Details
Under the terms of the agreement, which has been
approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, Redbox
stockholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.087 of a
share of class A common stock of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Entertainment per Redbox share. Following the close of the
transaction, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment stockholders
will own approximately 76.5% of the combined company, and Redbox
stockholders will own approximately 23.5% of the combined company,
on a fully diluted basis.
Timing and Approvals
Redbox stockholders holding approximately 86% of
the Redbox voting power have entered into a voting agreement to
approve the transaction. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment
stockholders holding approximately 91% of the voting power of
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment have delivered a written
consent approving the transaction.
The transaction is expected to close in the
second half of 2022, subject to the receipt of required regulatory
approvals and other customary closing conditions. Upon closing, the
combined entity will retain the name Chicken Soup for the Soul
Entertainment and will continue to trade under the ticker symbol
“CSSE” on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
AdvisorsGuggenheim Securities,
LLC is serving as financial advisor to Chicken Soup for the Soul
Entertainment and Brian Ross of Graubard Miller is serving as legal
counsel to Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. PJT Partners
and Kroll, LLC are serving as financial advisors to Redbox. Weil,
Gotshal & Manges LLP is serving as legal counsel to Redbox.
Conference CallThe management
of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and Redbox will host an
investor conference call today, May 11, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. ET,
to discuss the proposed transaction as well as Chicken Soup for the
Soul Entertainment’s results for its first quarter ended March 31,
2022. For interested investors who wish to participate, the
domestic toll-free access number is (888) 428-7458 and the
international toll-free access number is (862) 298-0702. Once
connected with the operator, request access to the Chicken Soup for
the Soul First Quarter 2022 Earnings Conference Call.
A webcast of the call will also be available at
the events section of the Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment
investor relations website: https://ir.cssentertainment.com/.
An investor presentation with more detailed
information regarding the proposed transaction will
be furnished by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment with
the SEC under cover of a Current Report on Form 8-K, which can be
viewed on the SEC's website: www.sec.gov. This presentation
will also be available on the Chicken Soup for the Soul investor
relations website: https://ir.cssentertainment.com/.
About Chicken Soup for the Soul
EntertainmentChicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc.
(Nasdaq: CSSE) operates video-on-demand streaming services (VOD).
The company owns Crackle Plus, which owns and operates a variety of
ad-supported VOD streaming services including Crackle, Chicken Soup
for the Soul, Popcornflix, Popcornflix Kids, Truli, Pivotshare,
Españolflix and FrightPix. The company also acquires and
distributes video content through its Screen Media and 1091
Pictures subsidiaries and produces original video content through
the Chicken Soup for the Soul Television Group. Chicken Soup for
the Soul Entertainment is a subsidiary of Chicken Soup for the
Soul, LLC, which publishes the famous book series and produces
super-premium pet food under the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand
name.
About RedboxRedbox
Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ: RDBX) is a leading entertainment
company that gives consumers access to a large variety of content
across digital and physical media. The company operates a rapidly
growing digital streaming service that provides both ad supported
(AVOD) and paid movies from Hollywood studios and
hundreds of content partners, as well as over 130 channels of free
ad supported streaming television (FAST). The Redbox app is
available on major entertainment platforms that include Roku
devices, connected TVs, gaming platforms, the web as well iOS and
Android devices. Redbox also operates its popular kiosks across the
US at thousands of retail locations – giving consumers affordable
access to the latest in entertainment. The company produces,
acquires, and distributes movies through its Redbox Entertainment™
label, providing rights to talent-led films that are distributed
across Redbox’s digital and physical services as well as through
third-party digital services. Headquartered just outside
of Chicago, Redbox has offices in Los
Angeles and Seattle. For more information,
visit www.redbox.com.
Forward-Looking Statements This
communication relates to a proposed business combination
transaction between Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc.
(“CSSE”) and Redbox Entertainment Inc. (“RDBX”). This communication
contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the
federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements address a
variety of subjects, including, for example, projections as to the
anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, the anticipated
impact of the proposed transaction on the combined organization’s
business and future financial and operating results, the expected
amount and timing of synergies from the proposed transaction, and
the anticipated closing date for the proposed transaction.
Statements that are not historical facts, including statements
about CSSE’s and RDBX’s beliefs, plans and expectations, are
forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on CSSE’s and
RDBX’s current expectations and are subject to a number of factors
and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ
materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements often contain words such as “expect,”
“anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” "will," “estimate,”
“would,” “target” and similar expressions, as well as variations or
negatives of these words. The following important factors and
uncertainties, among others, could cause actual results to differ
materially from those described in these forward-looking
statements: the uncertainty as to the extent of the duration, scope
and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; political and economic
uncertainty, including any faltering in global economic conditions
or the stability of credit and financial markets, erosion of
consumer confidence and declines in customer spending;
unavailability of raw materials, services, supplies or
manufacturing capacity; changes in geographic scope or product or
customer mix; changes in export classifications, import and export
regulations or duties and tariffs; changes in CSSE’s or RDBX’s
estimates of their expected tax rate based on current tax law;
CSSEs ability to successfully integrate RDBX’s businesses and
technologies; the risk that the expected benefits and synergies of
the proposed transaction and growth prospects of the combined
company may not be fully achieved in a timely manner, or at all;
adverse results in litigation matters, including the potential for
litigation related to the proposed transaction; the risk that CSSE
or RDBX will be unable to retain and hire key personnel; the risk
associated with CSSE’s and RDBX’s ability to obtain the approvals
of their respective stockholders required to consummate the
proposed transaction and the timing of the closing of the proposed
transaction, including the risk that the conditions to the
transaction are not satisfied on a timely basis or at all or the
failure of the transaction to close for any other reason or to
close on the anticipated terms, including the anticipated tax
treatment; the risk that any regulatory approval, consent or
authorization that may be required for the proposed transaction is
not obtained or is obtained subject to conditions that are not
anticipated; unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to
the transaction, the response of business partners and retention as
a result of the announcement and pendency of the transaction;
uncertainty as to the long-term value of CSSE’s common stock; and
the diversion of management time on transaction-related matters.
These risks, as well as other risks related to the proposed
transaction, will be included in the registration statement on Form
S-4 and proxy statement/prospectus that will be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with
the proposed transaction. While the list of factors presented here
is, and the list of factors to be presented in the registration
statement on Form S-4 are, considered representative, no such list
should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential
risks and uncertainties. For additional information about other
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those described in the forward-looking statements, please refer to
CSSE’s and RDBX’s respective periodic reports and other filings
with the SEC, including the risk factors contained in CSSE’s and
RDBX’s most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual
Reports on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements represent
management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain and
are made only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law,
neither CSSE nor RDBX undertakes or assumes any obligation to
update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information or to reflect subsequent events or circumstances or
otherwise.
No Offer or SolicitationThis
communication is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer
to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any
securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall
there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such
offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration
or qualification under the securities laws of any such
jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made, except by
means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of
the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Additional Information and Where to Find
ItIn connection with the proposed transaction, CSSE
intends to file with the SEC a registration statement on
Form S-4 that will include a proxy statement of RDBX and that also
constitutes a prospectus and Information Statement of CSSE. Each of
CSSE and RDBX may also file other relevant documents with
the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. This document
is not a substitute for the proxy statement/Information
Statement/prospectus or registration statement or any other
document that CSSE or RDBX may file with the SEC. The
definitive proxy statement/Information Statement/prospectus (if and
when available) will be mailed to stockholders of CSSE and RDBX.
INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT, PROXY STATEMENT/INFORMATION STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY
OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS
WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY
AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE
THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE
PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders will be able
to obtain free copies of the registration statement and proxy
statement/Information Statement/prospectus (if and when available)
and other documents containing important information about CSSE,
RDBX and the proposed transaction, once such documents are filed
with the SEC through the website maintained by
the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the
documents filed with the SEC by CSSE will be available
free of charge on CSSE’s website
at https://ir.cssentertainment.com/ or by contacting CSSE’s
Investor Relations Department by email at csse@ellipsisir.com
or by phone at 646-776-0886. Copies of the documents filed with
the SEC by RDBX will be available free of charge on
RDBX’s website at https://investors.redbox.com/ or by
contacting Zaia Lawandow at zaia.lawandow@redbox.com.
Certain Information Regarding
Participants in the SolicitationCSSE, RDBX and certain of
their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to
be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the
proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive
officers of CSSE, including a description of their direct or
indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth
in CSSE’s proxy statement for its 2021 annual meeting of
stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 30, 2021, and
CSSE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2021, which was filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022
and on its website at https://ir.cssentertainment.com/. Information
about executive officers of RDBX, including a description of their
direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is
set forth in RDBX’s proxy statement for its 2021 annual meeting of
stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on October 15, 2021, and
RDBX’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2021, which was filed with the SEC on April 15, 2022
and on its website at https://investors.redbox.com/. Information
about the directors of RDBX and other participants in the proxy
solicitations, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus
and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the
proposed transaction when such materials become available.
Investors should read the proxy statement/prospectus carefully when
it becomes available before making any voting or investment
decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from CSSE
or RDBX using the sources indicated above.
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Investor
RelationsTaylor KrafchikEllipsiscsse@ellipsisir.com(646)
776-0886
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Media
ContactKate BarretteRooneyPartners
LLCkbarrette@rooneypartners.com(212) 223-0561
Redbox Investor Relations & Media
ContactZaia LawandowRedboxzaia.lawandow@redbox.com
Redbox Entertainment (NASDAQ:RDBX)
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