Liberty Global Buys Stake in Holland’s Ziggo

ENGLEWOOD: Liberty Global has acquired 25.3 million shares in Ziggo, taking a 12.65-percent stake in the Dutch cable operator for approximately 632.5 million euros ($810.3 million).

Liberty Global purchased the shares from Barclays Capital Securities for around 25 euros per share. The acquisition will be funded through a non-recourse margin loan and existing liquidity. This still doesn’t give Liberty Global a controlling interest, so no regulatory approvals are required.

Ziggo is the largest cable operator in the Netherlands. Liberty Global is already active in this market through its UPC Netherlands subsidiary.