Shareholders in Cineworld will be wiped out under the embattled cinema operator’s latest proposals to reorganise the business and exit bankruptcy.
The London-listed chain, which filed for bankruptcy protection in the US in autumn, said it had filed a reorganisation plan with an American bankruptcy court.
The plans detail how the business intends to restructure its debt pile – totalling about $5bn (£4bn) – so it can stick to its timetable of exiting Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection during the first half of this year.
They require approval from the bankruptcy court, which considers how companies are restructured as they exit Chapter 11, as well as approval from certain creditors.
Cineworld said its plan was supported by lenders, which hold and control about 83% of its loans that are due to be repaid in 2025 and 2026 and of its revolving credit facility, which was due to be repaid this year. They said it was also backed by those holding and controlling about 69% of its outstanding debts.
However, the company added that its high levels of debt and the level of existing debt due to be released under the reorganisation plan meant “the proposed restructuring does not provide for any recovery for holders of Cineworld’s existing equity interests”.
Cineworld said it wanted to exit bankruptcy protection as soon as possible but this could be delayed beyond the first half of the year, such as by the sale of any part of the business.
The cinema chain, which runs about 750 sites globally, announced earlier this month that it planned to raise $2.3bn in new funding. It also said it was halting attempts to try to sell its US, UK and Irish businesses after it failed to receive any acceptable offers.
Cineworld, which owns the Picturehouse chain in the UK, said it continues to operate its global business and its other brands including Regal, Cinema City and Planet are welcoming customers as usual. It will continue to honour the terms of existing customer membership programmes, including Cineworld Unlimited in the UK.
The chain will be hoping for a boost to its business from the Easter school holidays and the recent releases of films including Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and The Super Mario Bros Movie.
