UPDATE: Berkshire Hathaway Will Purchase WPLG-TV from Graham Holdings

Graham Holdings Company GHC and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. BRK BRK announced today that they have reached an agreement in principle for Berkshire to acquire a wholly-owned subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company, which will include WPLG, a Miami-based television station, a number of Berkshire shares currently held by Graham Holdings Company and an amount of cash, in exchange for approximately 1.6 million shares of Graham Holdings Class B common stock currently owned by Berkshire Hathaway. The specific number of shares of each company and the amount of cash will be determined on the closing date based on certain factors, including the market prices of the shares of both companies at that time. No binding agreement has yet been signed in connection with the transaction. The transaction is subject to agreement on definitive documentation, and will be subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. In addition there will be certain termination rights relating to minimum trading prices of the stock of each company immediately prior to closing and to a minimum value of the television station for purposes of the transaction on the closing date. “I am sure this is a mutually beneficial transaction for both companies,” said Warren E. Buffett, chairman and chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway. “While this transaction will greatly reduce our position in Graham Holdings, our admiration for the company and its management is undiminished.” “Warren Buffett's 40-year association with our company has been extremely good for our shareholders. Naturally, the deal that we have put together is one that will be good for both companies,” said Donald E. Graham, chairman and chief executive officer of Graham Holdings Company. “We thank our longtime colleagues at WPLG for their enormous contributions and congratulate them on the opportunity to join one of the greatest companies in America.”