Network18 to sell Yellow Pages, ASK Me
Selling business directories is in line with the objective of monetizing non-core assets profitably, firm says
Mumbai: Network18 Media and Investments Ltd on Thursday said it has received the board’s approval to divest its stake in business directories—Yellow Pages and ASK Me.
“The board of directors at its meeting held on February 21, 2013, has accorded its approval to evaluate opportunities and sell/divest its undertaking comprising business directories viz ‘Yellow Pages’ and ‘ASK Me’," Network18 said in a filing to the BSE.
This is in line with the company’s stated objective of monetizing non-core assets profitably, it added.
In December, Network18 sold its entire stake in financial data and news terminal business NewsWire18 to private equity firm Samara Capital for ₹ 90 crore.
Earlier, Network18 had also sold its stake in one of the Capital18 investee companies—NetworkPlay and then partially diluted its stake in digital commerce firm—Bookmyshow.com.
AskMe allows people to search for companies, products and services online as well as on phone, while Infomedia Yellow Pages is an online local search service that helps buyers find businesses.
The board of directors will also seek the approval of the members for aforesaid divestment by way of a postal ballot.
Network18 Media and Investments posted a consolidated net profit of ₹ 6.84 crore for October-December 2012 period, after many quarters of loss.
Its consolidated revenues for the said quarter stood at ₹ 697.4 crore. Of this, television and motion pictures business accounted for ₹ 542 crore, while digital content & eCommerce and allied businesses contributed ₹ 119.6 crore and ₹ 80.7 crore, respectively.
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