IHeartMedia nears bankruptcy exit with court approval of plan

[TEXAS] iHeartMedia Inc gained court approval for a plan that would cut about US$10 billion of debt and allow it to emerge from bankruptcy within the first half of this year.

The biggest US radio broadcaster got confirmation in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas for a creditor-supported plan that reduces its debt to US$5.75 billion from US$16.1 billion and spins out Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc into a separate company, according to a statement. That could position both companies as takeover targets.

IHeart's restructuring will give it "a new capital structure that matches the strong operating performance of our business," Chief Executive Officer Bob Pittman said in the statement. "IHeartMedia's unique place in the advertising world perfectly positions us to take advantage of the renaissance underway in audio."

The company filed for bankruptcy in March last year with a creditor-supported plan after years of sometimes fractious negotiations, which continued as the bankruptcy process advanced. Clear Channel never filed for bankruptcy, but iHeart held an equity stake of about 90 per cent in the outdoor advertising company, and Clear Channel was an unsecured creditor for about US$1 billion.

Mr Pittman and Chief Financial Officer Rich Bressler will remain in their roles under four-year contract extensions after its exit from bankruptcy, the company said. IHeart's exit from court protection is subject to certain steps related to the separation of Clear Channel, it said.

Liberty Media Corp had said it was interested in acquiring a stake of 40 per cent or perhaps more, but withdrew the offer in June after iHeart posted disappointing results. It bought US$660 million of iHeart's debt, according to a November presentation.

BLOOMBERG