Form 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of December 2004
Commission File Number: 001-06439
SONY CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
7-35 KITASHINAGAWA 6-CHOME, SHINAGAWA-KU, TOKYO, JAPAN
(Address of principal executive offices)
The registrant files annual reports under cover of Form 20-F.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F,
Form 20-F X Form 40-F __
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
Yes_ No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82-______
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SONY CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By:__ /s/ Katsumi Ihara
(Signature)
Katsumi Ihara
Executive Deputy President,
Group Chief Strategy Officer
and Chief Financial Officer
List of materials
Documents attached hereto:
i) A press release regarding MGM Update
News Release
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER INC. STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE MERGER
Los Angeles, Calif., Dec. 17, 2004 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE: MGM),
together with a consortium comprised of Sony Corporation of America, Providence
Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group, Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK)
and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, announced today that the Agreement and Plan
of Merger between MGM and LOC Acquisition Company, which was formed by the
consortium, was adopted by MGM's stockholders at a special meeting held on
December 17, 2004. Consummation of the merger remains subject to clearance under
the European Commission's merger control regulations, the financing necessary to
complete the proposed acquisition being consummated and other closing conditions
contained in the Agreement and Plan of Merger.
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE: MGM), through its
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. subsidiary, is actively engaged in the
worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television
programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The
company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising about 4,000
titles. Operating units include MGM Pictures, United Artists, MGM Television
Entertainment, MGM Networks, MGM Distribution Co., MGM Worldwide Television
Distribution, MGM Home Entertainment, MGM On Stage, MGM Consumer Products, MGM
Music, MGM Interactive and MGM Direct. In addition, MGM has ownership interests
in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. For more
information, visit www.mgm.com.
About Sony Corporation of America
Sony Corporation of America, based in New York City, is the U.S. subsidiary of
Sony Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo. Sony is a leading manufacturer of
audio, video, communications, and information technology products for the
consumer and professional markets. Its music, motion picture, television,
computer entertainment, and online businesses make Sony one of the most
comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. Sony's principal U.S.
businesses include Sony Electronics Inc., Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., Sony
Computer Entertainment America Inc., and a 50% interest in Sony BMG Music
Entertainment, one of the largest recorded music companies in the world. Sony
recorded consolidated annual sales of over $72 billion for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2004, and it employs 162,000 people worldwide. Sony's consolidated
sales in the U.S. for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004 were $20.4 billion.
For more information, visit www.sony.com.
About Providence Equity Partners Inc.
Providence Equity Partners Inc. is one of the world's leading private investment
firms specializing in equity investments in media and communications companies.
The principals of Providence Equity manage funds with over $9 billion in equity
commitments and have invested in more than 70 companies operating in over 20
countries since the firm's inception in 1991. Current and previous areas of
investment include cable television content and distribution, wireless and
wireline telephony, publishing, radio and television broadcasting and other
media and communications sectors. Significant investments include VoiceStream
Wireless, Warner Music Group, PanAmSat, AT&T Canada, eircom plc, Casema, Kabel
Deutschland, Language Line, F&W Publications, ProSiebenSat.1, and Bresnan
Broadband Holdings. The firm has offices in Providence, New York and London.
Visit www.provequity.com for additional information.
About Texas Pacific Group
Texas Pacific Group is one of the world's leading private investment firms
managing over $14 billion in assets. TPG invests across a wide range of
industries, and has made significant investments in branded consumer franchises
(Burger King, Berginer Wines, Del Monte, Ducati), leading retailers (Petco,
J.Crew, Debenhams-UK), healthcare (Oxford Health Plans, Iasis, Quintiles
Transnational), technology companies (ON Semiconductor, MEMC, Seagate), and
airlines (Continental, America West), among others. The firm is based in Fort
Worth, Texas and has additional offices in San Francisco and London.
About Comcast Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is principally involved
in the development, management and operation of broadband cable networks, and in
the provision of programming content. The Company is the largest provider of
cable and broadband services in the United States, serving more than 21 million
cable television customers and more than 6.5 million high-speed Internet
customers. The Company's content businesses include majority ownership of
Comcast Spectacor, Comcast SportsNet, E! Entertainment Television, Style
Network, G4techTV, The Golf Channel, International Channel and Outdoor Life
Network. Comcast Class A common stock and Class A Special common stock trade on
The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbols CMCSA and CMCSK, respectively. For
more information, visit www.comcast.com.
About DLJ Merchant Banking Partners
DLJ Merchant Banking Partners III, L.P., together with affiliated investment
vehicles, is an investment partnership sponsored by DLJ Merchant Banking
Partners which seeks significant capital appreciation through private equity and
equity-related investments. DLJ Merchant Banking Partners is part of Credit
Suisse First Boston's Alternative Capital Division, which is one of the largest
alternative asset managers in the world with more than $36 billion of assets
under management. DLJ Merchant Banking Partners was organized in 1985 and since
that time has invested nearly $9.0 billion in 140 portfolio companies across a
wide range of industries and geographies. Significant investments include Grohe
AG, Jostens, Inc., American Ref-Fuel Company, TXU Energy Company, Safilo S.p.A.
and Nycomed Holdings. The principal executive offices of DLJ Merchant Banking
Partners are located at 11 Madison Avenue in New York, New York.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All
statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be
deemed forwardlooking statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.'s ("MGM"), Sony Corporation's ("Sony") and Comcast
Corporation's ("Comcast") current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a
number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements. For example, such risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other
factors include, without limitation, the possibility that: (1) the consortium
and MGM may be unable to obtain the regulatory approvals required to complete
the transaction; (2) problems may arise in successfully integrating the
businesses; (3) the acquisition may involve unexpected costs; (4) the consortium
may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies; (5) the businesses may suffer
as a result of uncertainty surrounding the acquisition; and (6) the new company
may be subject to future regulatory or legislative action. For a further
discussion of these and other risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other
factors, see MGM's, Sony's and Comcast's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. None of MGM, Sony or Comcast undertakes any duty to update
forward-looking statements.
Contacts:
Sony Corporation of America
Ann Morfogen (media)
212-833-6873
Mack Araki (media)
212-833-6821
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Susan Tick (media)
310-244-6777
Comcast Corporation
Tim Fitzpatrick (media)
215-981-8515
Providence Equity Partners Inc.
Andrew Cole (media)
212-687-8080
Texas Pacific Group
Owen Blicksilver (media)
516-742-5950
DLJ Merchant Banking Partners
Victoria Harmon (media)
212-325-6914
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
Joe Fitzgerald (MGM Investors)
310-449-3660
Janet Janjigian (media)
310-449-3294
George Sard/Carrie Bloom (media)
212-687-8080