Benzinga | Jul 12, 2021 07:14AM EDT

DouYu Announces Termination Of Merger Agreement With Huya After State Administration For Market Regulation Of The People's Republic Of China Posted Announcement Of Decision To Prohibit Proposed Deal

DouYu International Holdings Limited ("DouYu" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:DOYU), a leading game-centric live streaming platform in China and a pioneer in the eSports value chain, today announced that on July 10, 2021, the State Administration for Market Regulation of the People's Republic of China, or the SAMR, posted an announcement of its decision to prohibit the proposed merger (the "Merger") between HUYA Inc. ("Huya") and DouYu International Holdings Limited ("DouYu") following SAMR's antitrust review (the "SAMR Decision"). DouYu fully respects and will abide by the SAMR Decision, and will comply with all regulatory requirements, conduct its businesses in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations, and fulfill its social responsibilities.

In light of the SAMR Decision, on July 12, 2021, Huya, Tiger Company Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Huya, DouYu, and Nectarine Investment Limited ("Tencent"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tencent Holdings Limited entered into a termination agreement, pursuant to which the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 12, 2020, by and among the same parties (the "Merger Agreement"), including all schedules and exhibits thereto, and all ancillary agreements contemplated thereby or entered pursuant thereto, were terminated with immediate effect. DouYu and Tencent entered into a termination agreement, dated July 12, 2021, pursuant to which the Reassignment Agreement, dated October 12, 2020, by and between DouYu and Tencent, including all schedules and exhibits thereto, and all ancillary agreements contemplated thereby or entered pursuant thereto, were terminated with immediate effect.

DouYu previously announced that, in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, its board of directors approved a cash dividend in an aggregate amount of US$60,000,000 (the "Cash Dividend") to be paid on or around the date of the closing of the Merger and in no event later than 20 days after the closing of the Merger to the holders of ordinary shares of DouYu whose names appear on DouYu's register of members as of the close of business on certain record date after the date when the required DouYu shareholder approval is obtained and prior to the closing of theMerger. In consideration of the termination of the Merger, Douyu's board of directors approved the cancellation of the Cash Dividend.

Concurrently, Tencent and Mr. Shaojie Chen entered into a termination agreement on July 12, 2021, pursuant to which the Share Transfer Agreement, dated August 13, 2020, by and among the same parties with respect to the purchase by Tencent of 3,703,704 ordinary shares of DouYu from an affiliate of Mr. Shaojie Chen, including all schedules and exhibits thereto, and all ancillary agreements contemplated thereby or entered pursuant thereto, were terminated with immediate effect.

As an independently operated and managed company, DouYu will make continuous efforts to enhance leadership over China's eSports value chain, enrich quality live-streaming, video and other content, and cultivate a highly engaged and vibrant gamer community.