Potential acquisition

Newsplayer Group PLC 06 May 2004 Embargoed until 7.00 a.m. 6 May 2004 Newsplayer Group plc Statement re potential acquisition The directors of Newsplayer Group plc (the 'Company') announced on 31 March 2004 that they were in discussions with United Business Media plc ('UBM') regarding the potential purchase of UBM's 20 per cent. shareholding in Satellite Information Services Limited ('SIS') but that such discussions may or may not lead to the consummation of a transaction. The directors of the Company are pleased to announce today that the Company has been granted a period of exclusivity by UBM in which to complete the acquisition of UBM's 20 per cent. shareholding in SIS for a consideration of £20.0 million. This period of exclusivity runs until 28 July 2004. During this time, the directors of the Company intend to complete their due diligence process and raise the necessary funds required to effect the acquisition. This process may or may not lead to the transaction proceeding to completion. SIS provides bookmakers with live television pictures, data display systems and broadcast services. SIS has over 16 years of expertise in the industry and now provides its services to almost every betting outlet in the UK and Ireland, as well as in many territories in Europe, the Caribbean and Sri Lanka. SIS produces live coverage of over 8,000 horse races and 22,500 greyhound races a year, seven days a week, every week of the year. In the year ended 31 March 2003, SIS achieved audited revenues of £102 million, a profit before tax of £12 million and a profit after tax of £9 million. The directors of the Company believe that there are considerable benefits that may arise between the Company's existing businesses and those of SIS following the acquisition of a 20 per cent. shareholding in SIS. The directors of the Company will announce further details in due course. Further information: Paul Duffen, CEO Newsplayer Group plc 020 7927 6699 Philip Ranger, Merlin PR, PR adviser to Newsplayer Group plc 020 7653 6620 Richard Swindells Durlacher Limited, Nominated Adviser and broker to Newsplayer Group plc 020 7459 3600 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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