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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event
reported): August 6, 2026
QVC GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in
its charter)
| Delaware |
|
001-38654 |
|
23-2414041 |
(State or other
jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization) |
|
(Commission File
Number) |
|
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
1200
Wilson Drive
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(484) 701-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including
area code)
QVC, Inc.
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing
is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨ Soliciting material pursuant
to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨ Pre-commencement communications
pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨ Pre-commencement communications
pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of
the Act:
| Title of each class |
|
Trading
Symbol(s) |
|
Name
of each exchange on which
registered |
| Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share |
|
QVCG |
|
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933
(§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging
growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with
any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Introductory Note
As previously disclosed in
the Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Current Report”) filed by QVC Group, Inc. (f/k/a QVC, Inc.) (the “Company”)
on April 20, 2026, on April 16, 2026, Old QVC Group, Inc. (f/k/a QVC Group, Inc.) (“Old QVC Group”) and
certain of its affiliates, including the Company (collectively, the “Company Parties”), filed voluntary petitions for relief
(the “Chapter 11 Cases”) under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Bankruptcy Court”) to implement a prepackaged chapter
11 plan of reorganization (the “Plan”). The Chapter 11 Cases were jointly administered for administrative purposes only under
the caption In re: QVC Group, Inc., et al.
On July 20, 2026, the
Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Plan (the “Confirmation Order”), and on August 6, 2026 (the “Plan
Effective Date”), the Plan became effective in accordance with its terms and the Company Parties emerged from bankruptcy.
Copies of the Confirmation
Order and the Plan are attached as Exhibit 2.1 and Exhibit 2.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and
are incorporated by reference.
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive
Agreement.
New Debt Instruments
Takeback Notes Indenture
On the Plan Effective Date,
in connection with the Plan, the Company issued $1,240,362,247 in aggregate principal amount of 10.000% First Lien Senior Secured Notes due
2032 (the “Takeback Notes”) as a component of the takeback debt issued under the Plan (the “Takeback Debt”). The
Takeback Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of the Plan Effective Date, among the Company, the guarantors party thereto
and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee and notes collateral agent (the “Takeback Notes Indenture”). The Takeback
Notes will mature on August 6, 2032 and will bear interest at a rate of 10.000% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears
on August 15 and February 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2027. Interest on the Takeback Notes will start accruing
from August 6, 2026. The Takeback Notes are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company and secured by first priority liens
on and security interests in substantially all of the assets of the Company and applicable guarantors, in each case subject to the terms,
conditions and exceptions set forth in the Takeback Notes Indenture.
The Company may redeem all
or a portion of the Takeback Notes at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued
and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.
Upon the occurrence of specified
kinds of change in control triggering events, the Company will make an offer to repurchase all outstanding Takeback Notes, at a purchase
price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the repurchase date.
The Takeback Notes Indenture
contains certain events of default, and various customary affirmative and negative covenants, including, but not limited to, financial
reporting requirements and limitations on certain restricted payments, distributions from subsidiaries, indebtedness, sale of assets,
affiliate transactions and liens.
Term Loan Credit Agreement
On the Plan Effective Date,
in connection with the Plan, the Company borrowed $84,637,736.20 in aggregate principal amount of first lien senior secured term loans (the
“Takeback Loans”) as a component of the Takeback Debt. The Takeback Loans were issued pursuant to a senior secured credit
agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) with the lenders party thereto, Acquiom Agency Services LLC and Seaport Loan
Products LLC, as co-administrative agents, and Acquiom Agency Services LLC, as collateral agent. The proceeds of the Takeback Loans, together
with cash on hand, were used to consummate the Transactions contemplated by the Plan.
The Takeback Loans will mature
on the sixth anniversary of the Plan Effective Date. The Takeback Loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the Company’s
option, either (a) Term SOFR plus 5.11885% per annum or (b) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement)
plus 6.11885% per annum. The applicable margin is set such that the all-in rate (margin plus Term SOFR at the Plan Effective Date) equals
10%.
The obligations under the
Term Loan Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company and secured by first priority liens on and security interests
in substantially all of the assets of the Company and applicable guarantors, in each case subject to the terms, conditions and exceptions
set forth in the Term Loan Credit Agreement and related documents.
The Term Loan Credit Agreement
contains certain representations and warranties, events of default and various customary affirmative and negative covenants, including
financial reporting requirements and limitations on indebtedness, liens, mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, sales
of assets, dividends and other restricted payments, investments (including acquisitions) and transactions with affiliates.
Exit ABL Credit Agreement
On the Plan Effective Date,
in connection with the Plan, the Company entered into a senior secured revolving credit agreement (the “Exit ABL Credit Agreement”)
with the lenders and issuing banks from time to time party thereto and GLAS USA LLC, as administrative agent, providing for a three-year
asset-based revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $600.0 million (the “Exit ABL Facility”).
The obligations under the Exit ABL Credit Agreement are expected to be guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company and secured by
liens on and security interests in substantially all of the assets of the Company and applicable guarantors, in each case subject to the
terms, conditions and exceptions set forth in the Exit ABL Credit Agreement and related documents.
Borrowings under the Exit
ABL Credit Agreement are subject to a borrowing base. The outstanding balance of the borrowings under the Exit ABL Facility may not exceed
in the aggregate at any time (a) the sum of (i) 90.0% multiplied by the face amount of eligible credit card receivables; plus
(ii) 85.0% multiplied by the value of eligible installment accounts receivables; plus (iii) 85.0% multiplied by the net
orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory at such time; provided that in no event shall the aggregate amount of eligible in-transit
inventory included in the borrowing base exceed 5.0% of the aggregate amount of eligible inventory included in the calculation of the
borrowing base; plus (iv) 100% of qualified cash of the loan parties; provided that in no event shall qualified cash constitute
more than 10.0% of the borrowing base (calculated including giving effect to this clause (iv)); minus (b) the amount of all reserves
then applicable to the borrowing base in effect at such time.
Alternate Base Rate (as defined
below) borrowings under the Exit ABL Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the rate of interest
in effect on such day as publicly announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its “prime rate;” (b) the
rate per annum calculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“NYFRB”) based on such day’s federal funds transactions
by depository institutions in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1.0% per annum; and (c) the rate per annum equal to the forward-looking
Secured Overnight Financing Rate as administered by NYFRB term rate administered by CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited and published
on the applicable Reuters screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated
by the Administrative Agent from time to time) (the “Term SOFR Screen Rate”) two business days, except any business day in
which any of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, the New York Stock Exchange or the NYFRB is not open for business
because such day is a legal holiday under the federal laws of the United States or the laws of the State of New York, as applicable (“U.S.
Government Securities Business Days”) prior to the commencement of such period commencing on the date such borrowing is disbursed
or converted to or continued as a Term SOFR (as defined below) borrowing and ending on the date that is one, three or six months thereafter
as selected by the borrower in its Notice of Borrowing (or, upon at least five business days’ written notice from the Company, if
agreed to by each Lender, 12 months or any such other period may be agreed by each such Lender and the Administrative Agent) (in the case
of each requested Interest Period, subject to availability) (an “Interest Period”) with a term equivalent to such Interest
Period, provided that if the rate is not published prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such determination date, then the Term
SOFR Screen Rate on the first U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately prior thereto (the “Term SOFR”) plus 1.0%
per annum; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Alternate Base Rate shall at no time be less than 3.00% per annum, plus 4.75%
per annum (the “Alternate Base Rate”). Term SOFR borrowings under the Exit ABL Facility bear interest at the Term SOFR for
the Interest Period in effect for such borrowing plus 5.75% per annum.
The maturity date of the
Exit ABL Facility is the date that is three (3) years after the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 of the
Exit ABL Credit Agreement are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02) and the loans made by any Lender pursuant to
Section 2.01 of the Exit ABL Credit Agreement are (or deemed to be) funded, unless extended pursuant to certain events specified
in the Exit ABL Credit Agreement. The proceeds of the Exit ABL Facility have been or will be used for working capital and general corporate
purposes of the Company Parties and fees and expenses related to the Exit ABL Facility.
The Exit ABL Credit Agreement
contains certain representation and warranties, events of default and various affirmative and negative covenants that are customary for
asset-based credit facilities of this type, including financial reporting requirements and limitations on indebtedness, liens, mergers,
consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, sales of assets, dividends and other restricted payments and investments (including acquisitions).
The foregoing descriptions of the Takeback Notes
Indenture, the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Exit ABL Credit Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety
by reference to the copies of the Takeback Notes Indenture, the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Exit ABL Credit Agreement attached
to this Current Report as Exhibits 4.1, 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Stockholder Agreements
On the Plan Effective Date,
in connection with the effectiveness of the Plan, the Company entered into separate stockholder agreements with certain of its stockholders
who had received shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “New Common Stock”) pursuant to the Plan, each between
the Company and a single stockholder party thereto (or affiliated group of stockholder parties thereto managed by a single fund), in substantially
the same form (collectively, the “Stockholder Agreements”), pursuant to which the parties thereto agreed to, among other things,
certain board designation rights, governance rights, information rights, preemptive rights and transfer restrictions. No stockholder is
deemed to be acting as a member of a “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended) with any other stockholder solely as a result of being a party to a Stockholder Agreement or exercising its individual
rights thereunder.
The foregoing description
of the Stockholder Agreements is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Stockholder Agreement, a copy
of which is attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 4.2 and incorporated herein by reference.
Registration Rights Agreement
On the Plan Effective Date,
the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with certain of its stockholders
who had received New Common Stock pursuant to the Plan (the “Holders”). Under the Registration Rights Agreement, the
Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to file and maintain one or more registration statements covering the resale
of such Holders’ shares. Also, under the Registration Rights Agreement, the Holders have certain underwritten offering demand rights
and piggyback rights with respect to certain underwritten offerings conducted by the Company for its own account or for the account of
other stockholders of the Company. These registration and other rights are subject to certain conditions and limitations, including the
right of the underwriters to limit the number of shares to be included in an offering and the Company’s right to delay, suspend
or withdraw a registration statement under certain circumstances.
The Registration Rights Agreement
contains customary provisions relating to the registration and other procedures to be followed by the Company, indemnification and contribution
obligations, the selection of underwriters, lock-ups (to the extent requested by an applicable underwriter) and payment by the Company
of registration and other expenses incident to its obligations thereunder (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Holders
but excluding any underwriting discounts or commissions attributable to sales of shares by the Holders).
The foregoing description
of the Registration Rights Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the Registration Rights
Agreement attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 10.3, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive
Agreement.
Cancellation of Existing Equity Interests
In accordance with the Plan,
on the Plan Effective Date, all outstanding shares of Old QVC Group’s capital stock, including Old QVC Group’s Series A
common stock and Series B common stock (collectively, the “Old Common Stock”) and 8.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock (the “Old Preferred Stock”), and all outstanding equity awards and other equity interests of Old QVC Group,
in each case outstanding immediately prior to the Plan Effective Date, were cancelled for no value and of no further force or effect.
Prepetition Indebtedness
Pursuant to the Plan, on the
Plan Effective Date, the obligations of the Company Parties under the following agreements and all related collateral, lien and credit
documentation were cancelled, subject to the limitations set forth in Article IV.H of the Plan:
| · | The Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 27,
2021 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) by and among the Company and QVC Global Corporate Holdings,
LLC, as borrowers, the lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as administrative agent and
collateral agent, including any successor thereto, and any other parties from time to time party thereto (the “RCF Credit Agreement”
and the revolving credit facility thereunder, the “Credit Facility”); |
| · | The indenture governing the 5.950% senior secured notes (the “QVC 2043
Notes”) issued pursuant to the indenture, dated as of March 18, 2013, among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries party
thereto and U.S. Bank Trust Company National Association, as trustee (the “QVC Notes Trustee”), as supplemented by that certain
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 12, 2015, that certain Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 31, 2018 and that
certain First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 29, 2020, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time (the “2013 Notes Indenture”), the indenture governing the 5.450% senior secured notes (the “QVC 2034 Notes”)
issued pursuant to the indenture dated as of August 21, 2014, among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries party thereto and the
QVC Notes Trustee, as trustee, as supplemented by that certain Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 31, 2018, and that certain
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 29, 2020, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time (the “2014 Notes Indenture”), the indenture governing the 4.750% senior secured notes (the “QVC 2027 Notes”),
the 4.375% senior secured notes (the “QVC 2028 Notes”), the 6.375% senior secured notes (the “QVC 2067 Notes”)
and the 6.250% senior secured notes (the “QVC 2068 Notes”) dated as of September 13, 2018, among the Company, certain
of its subsidiaries party thereto and the QVC Notes Trustee, as supplemented by that certain First Supplemental Indenture governing the
QVC 2067 Notes, that certain Second Supplemental Indenture governing the QVC 2068 Notes, that certain Third Supplemental Indenture governing
the QVC 2027 Notes and that certain Fourth Supplemental Indenture governing the QVC 2028 Notes, and as amended, restated, supplemented
or otherwise modified from time to time (the “2018 Notes Indenture”), and the indenture governing the 6.875% senior secured
notes (the “QVC 2029 Notes”) issued pursuant to the indenture dated as of September 25, 2024, among the Company, certain
of its subsidiaries party thereto and the QVC Notes Trustee, as trustee, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time (the “2024 Notes Indenture”) (the QVC 2027 Notes, the QVC 2028 Notes, the QVC 2029 Notes, the QVC 2034 Notes,
the QVC 2043 Notes, the QVC 2067 Notes and the QVC 2068 Notes, collectively, “the QVC Notes”, and the 2013 Notes Indenture,
2014 Notes Indenture, 2018 Notes Indenture and 2024 Notes Indenture, collectively, the “QVC Notes Indentures”); |
| · | That certain indenture (including each of the debentures issued thereunder)
dated as of July 7, 1999, originally issued by Liberty Media Corporation (now doing business as LINTA) and The Bank of New York Mellon
Trust Company, N.A. (as successor-in-interest to The Bank of New York Mellon, formerly known as The Bank of New York), as trustee (as
supplemented by that certain First Supplemental Indenture governing the 8.500% LINTA Notes, that certain Second Supplemental Indenture
governing the 4.000% LINTA Exchangeables, that certain Third Supplemental Indenture governing the 8.250% LINTA Notes and that certain
Fourth Supplemental Indenture governing the 3.750% LINTA Exchangeables, and as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time, including through the issuance of debentures); |
| · | That certain promissory note dated as of December 29, 2020, by and among
LINTA, as issuer, and QVC Global Corporate Holdings, LLC, as payee; and |
| · | That certain Debtor-in-Possession Letter of Credit Facility Agreement, dated
as of the closing date thereunder, by and among QVC, Inc., as borrower, certain of its subsidiaries that are debtors, as guarantors,
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the issuing banks party thereto and the other parties from time to time party thereto. |
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation
under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information set forth under Item 1.01 of this
Current Report under the heading “New Debt Instruments” is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
Pursuant to the Plan, on the
Plan Effective Date, the Company issued (a) approximately 21,430,005 shares of New Common Stock to the holders of any allowed claims
arising under, derived from, based on or relating to the QVC Notes or QVC Notes Indentures (the “QVC Notes Claimholders”)
and (b) approximately 28,569,892 shares of New Common Stock to the holders of allowed claims arising under, in connection with or
on account of the Credit Facility pursuant to the RCF Credit Agreement and any other documents entered into in connection therewith, including
with respect to any loans outstanding, letters of credit issued thereunder and any indemnities provided thereunder (the “RCF Claimholders”).
The issuance of such shares of New Common Stock was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”), pursuant to section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code and, to the extent such exemption was unavailable, in reliance on the exemption
provided by section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
The information set forth
under the Introductory Note and Items 1.01, 1.02, 3.02, 5.01 and 5.03 of this Current Report is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.01 Changes in Control of Registrant.
The information set forth
under the Introductory Note and Item 3.02 of this Current Report is incorporated herein by reference.
Pursuant to the Plan, on the
Plan Effective Date, all of Old QVC Group’s equity interests, including the Old Common Stock and Old Preferred Stock, outstanding
prior to the Plan Effective Date, were cancelled and are now of no force and effect, and the Company issued shares of New Common Stock
to the RCF Claimholders and the QVC Notes Claimholders. As of the Plan Effective Date, the RCF Claimholders and the QVC Notes Claimholders
hold 100% of the outstanding shares of New Common Stock, subject to dilution by the equity reserved for issuance under the Company’s
post-Effective Date equity incentive plans providing for the issuance from time to time of equity and equity-based awards.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of
Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Board of Directors
Pursuant to the Plan, as of
the Plan Effective Date, the terms of the following members of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) expired,
and each such member was deemed to have resigned from the Board: Gregory Maffei, Richard Barton, David Rawlinson II, Carol Flaton, Fiona
Dias, Roger Meltzer, M. Ian Gilchrist and Evan Malone, Ph.D.
Also pursuant to the Plan,
as of the Plan Effective Date, the following persons were appointed to the Board: Michael George, David Charles Boone, Nicolas Le Bourgeois,
Jason Lee Horowitz, Ann Mather, James Alan Marcum, Richard Andrew Mayfield and Jonathan Seth Zinman.
Pursuant to the terms of the
Stockholder Agreements described under Item 1.01 above, certain of the Company’s stockholders have the right to designate individuals
for nomination to the Board. In connection with such rights, GoldenTree Asset Management LP designated Jonathan Seth Zinman, Oaktree Capital
Management, L.P. designated James Alan Marcum, stockholder funds affiliated with Strategic Value Partners, LLC designated David Charles
Boone and Jason Lee Horowitz, and stockholder funds affiliated with Silver Point Capital, L.P. designated Richard Andrew Mayfield, in
each case, for appointment to the Board. There is no arrangement or understanding between Michael George, Nicolas Le Bourgeois or Ann
Mather and any other person pursuant to which any of them was selected as a director.
The Board has established
an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The current expected members of these
committees are as follows:
Audit Committee: Ann Mather
(Chair), Richard Andrew Mayfield and Jonathan Seth Zinman.
Compensation Committee: Jonathan
Seth Zinman (Chair), Jason Lee Horowitz and James Alan Marcum.
Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee: David Charles Boone (Chair), James Alan Marcum and Richard Andrew Mayfield.
In connection with their appointment
to the Board, each of Michael George, David Charles Boone, Nicolas Le Bourgeois, Jason Lee Horowitz, Ann Mather, James Alan Marcum, Richard
Andrew Mayfield and Jonathan Seth Zinman (collectively, the “New Directors”) has entered into, or is expected to enter into,
an indemnification agreement with the Company, which provides directors of the Company with contractual rights to indemnification, expense
advancement and reimbursement to the fullest extent permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law. In connection with their service
on the Board, each of the New Directors will receive an annual cash retainer of $150,000 for each year of service on the Board, which
will be payable quarterly in arrears. In addition, each New Director will also receive an initial equity award in the form of time-based
restricted stock units with a grant date value of $450,000. The restricted stock units will vest in three equal annual installments, subject
to continued service on the Board through the applicable vesting date. The number of shares underlying the grant will be determined based
on the Company’s implied equity value per share as of the Plan Effective Date. In addition, the chairperson of the Audit Committee
will receive an additional $100,000 annual cash retainer and the chairperson of each of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee will receive an additional $50,000 annual cash retainer.
To the Company’s knowledge
as of the date hereof, there are no current or proposed transactions in which any of the New Directors has or will have a direct or indirect
material interest and in which the Company is or will be a participant that require disclosure pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation
S-K.
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Effective as of the Plan Effective
Date, the Company released David Rawlinson II from his role as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Effective as of the
Plan Effective Date, the Company appointed Michael George as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In this capacity, he will
serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer until a permanent Chief Executive Officer is appointed by the Board.
Mr. George, age 64, served
as the President of Old QVC Group from November 2005 through March 2018 and as its Chief Executive Officer from April 2006
through March 2018. In 2018, he was named Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Interactive, which was subsequently renamed Qurate Retail, Inc.,
a position he held through September 2021. Mr. George previously held various positions with Dell, Inc. from March 2001
to November 2005, most notably as the Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President and General Manager of Dell’s U.S. consumer
business. Prior to that, he was a senior partner at McKinsey & Company and led the firm’s North American Retail Industry
Group. Mr. George previously served on the board of directors of Brinker International and Qurate Retail, Inc. and chaired the
board of directors of the National Retail Federation. He currently serves on the board of directors of AutoZone and Ralph Lauren, both
public companies, and serves on the boards of several not-for-profit organizations.
There are no arrangements
or understandings between Mr. George and any other person pursuant to which he is being appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer
of the Company. There are no family relationships between Mr. George and any director or executive officer of the Company. Mr. George
does not have a direct or indirect material interest in any transaction requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
In connection with his appointment,
effective as of the Plan Effective Date, Mr. George entered into a letter agreement with the Company (the “George Agreement”).
Under the George Agreement, Mr. George will serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer until a permanent Chief Executive Officer is
appointed. During his term as Interim Chief Executive Officer, Mr. George will be eligible to receive (i) an annual base salary
of $1,500,000, and (ii) an annual target cash bonus opportunity equal to 100% of his annual base salary. Following the appointment
of a permanent Chief Executive Officer, Mr. George will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of the Company and will thereafter
be eligible to receive (i) an annual base salary of $750,000 and (ii) a target annual cash bonus opportunity equal to 67% of
his annual base salary. During his employment, the Company will reimburse Mr. George for reasonable expenses relating to commuting to and maintaining a residence
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (as well as tax equalization payments on such reimbursement), up to a maximum aggregate amount of $450,000
per calendar year.
As soon as practicable following
the Plan Effective Date, Mr. George will be granted an initial equity award with an aggregate target grant date value of $5,000,000
(the “Initial Equity Award”), as follows: (i) $1,500,000 of the Initial Equity Award will be granted in the form of service-vesting
restricted stock units (“RSUs”) of the Company (the “Service RSUs”), which will vest in equal annual installments
over the first three anniversaries of the Plan Effective Date, subject generally to Mr. George’s continued service with the
Company; (ii) $1,500,000 of the Initial Equity Award will be granted in the form of performance-vesting RSUs (the “Performance
RSUs”) which will be earned between 0% - 100% based on the Company’s achievement of stock price performance goals ranging
from 1.25x – 1.75x of the implied stock price of the Company as of the Plan Effective Date (which must be achieved prior to the
third anniversary of the Plan Effective Date) and will vest (as to service) in equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries
of the Plan Effective Date, subject generally to Mr. George’s continued service with the Company; and (iii) $2,000,000
of the Initial Equity Award will be granted in the form of special performance-vesting RSUs (the “Special Performance RSUs”)
which will be earned based on the Company’s achievement of a stock price performance goal of 2.5x the implied stock price of the
Company as of the Plan Effective Date (which must be achieved prior to the third anniversary of the Plan Effective Date) and will vest
(as to service) in equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the Plan Effective Date, subject generally to
Mr. George’s continued service with the Company. In the event a new Chief Executive Officer is appointed within six months
following the Plan Effective Date, 1/3rd of the Service RSUs will be forfeited, while the Performance RSUs and Special Performance
RSUs will remain outstanding.
Upon a termination of employment
without “cause,” resignation for “good reason” or due to Mr. George’s death or disability, subject
to Mr. George’s execution and non-revocation of a release of claims and continued compliance with any restrictive covenants,
(i) any outstanding Service RSUs will vest in full, (ii) any outstanding Performance RSUs and Special Performance RSUs will
remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual performance and (iii) Mr. George will remain eligible to receive a prorated
annual bonus for the year in which the termination of employment occurs.
In connection with his
departure, Mr. Rawlinson entered into a Confidential Separation and General Release Agreement in substantially the form filed with his previously disclosed employment agreement and, pursuant to which, in consideration
for Mr. Rawlinson's execution and nonrevocation of a release of claims and his continued compliance with his existing restrictive
covenants, Mr. Rawlinson is entitled to receive severance payments and benefits in accordance with the existing terms of his
previously disclosed employment and other certain agreements with the Company, as well as reimbursement of certain expenses and continuation of certain benefits.
The foregoing is a summary
description of the terms of the George Agreement which, by its nature, is incomplete. It is qualified in
its entirety by the full text of the George Agreement, a copy of which will be filed with the Company’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2026.
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation
or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On the Plan Effective Date,
pursuant to the Plan, the Company, then known as QVC, Inc., adopted (a) the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
(the “New Certificate of Incorporation”), which amended and restated the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and
changed the Company’s name to QVC Group, Inc., and (b) the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “New Bylaws”),
which amended and restated the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws. The New Certificate of Incorporation and the New Bylaws became
effective upon adoption on the Plan Effective Date.
Among other things, the New Certificate of Incorporation
authorizes 700,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of 650,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock;
provides that each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote and that holders of Common Stock have no preemptive or subscription rights
except as may be provided in any agreement with the Company; and authorizes the Board to issue one or more classes or series of Preferred
Stock and to fix the rights, preferences and limitations thereof.
The New Certificate of Incorporation further provides
that the size of the Board shall not exceed nine directors, with the Board as of the Plan Effective Date consisting of eight directors
and one vacancy to be filled thereafter, eliminates cumulative voting, provides for directors to serve annual terms, provides that directors
will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast and establishes provisions governing vacancies and removal, in each case subject to the
terms of the Stockholder Agreements.
The New Certificate of Incorporation and the New
Bylaws also provide that, until the third anniversary of the Plan Effective Date, unaffiliated stockholders holding at least 25% of the
then-outstanding shares of Common Stock may call special meetings and stockholders may act by written consent; after the applicable sunset
date, stockholder action must be taken at a duly called meeting and special meetings may be called only by the Board. The New Bylaws also
include advance notice procedures for stockholder nominations and business proposals, and the New Certificate of Incorporation and the
New Bylaws include supermajority amendment provisions and exclusive forum provisions.
The New Certificate of Incorporation
and the New Bylaws were filed as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, to the Company’s Registration Statement on
Form 8-A filed with the SEC on August 6, 2026, and are incorporated by reference as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to this Current Report.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
| 2.1 |
|
Order Confirming the Second Amended Joint Prepackaged
Plan of Reorganization of QVC Group, Inc. and Its Debtor Affiliates Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 24, 2026). |
| 2.2 |
|
Second Amended Joint Prepackaged Plan of Reorganization
of QVC Group, Inc. and Its Debtor Affiliates Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, as confirmed by the Confirmation
Order (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 24,
2026). |
| 3.1 |
|
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
QVC, Inc. (renamed QVC Group, Inc. therein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed on August 6, 2026). |
| 3.2 |
|
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of QVC Group, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on August 6,
2026). |
| 4.1 |
|
Indenture, dated as of August 6, 2026, among QVC
Group, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee and notes collateral agent, governing
QVC Group, Inc.’s 10.000% First Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2032.* |
| 4.2 |
|
Form of Stockholder Agreement, by and between
QVC Group, Inc. and each stockholder party thereto.* |
| 10.1 |
|
Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of August 6,
2026, among QVC Group, Inc., the lenders party thereto, Acquiom Agency Services LLC and Seaport Loan Products LLC, as co-administrative
agents, and Acquiom Agency Services LLC, as collateral agent, governing the Takeback Loans.* |
| 10.2 |
|
Exit ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of August 6,
2026, among QVC Group, Inc., the lenders party thereto and GLAS USA LLC, as administrative agent.* |
| 10.3 |
|
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 6,
2026, by and among QVC Group, Inc. and the stockholders party thereto.* |
| 99.1 |
|
Press Release announcing emergence from chapter 11,
dated August 6, 2026.* |
| 104 |
|
Cover Page Interactive Data File. The cover page XBRL
tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document (contained in Exhibit 101). |
* Filed herewith.
Certain schedules, annexes and similar attachments have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K and will be provided
on a supplemental basis to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
authorized.
| Dated: August 7, 2026 |
QVC GROUP, INC. |
| |
|
| |
By: |
/s/ Katherine C. Jewell |
| |
|
Name: Katherine C. Jewell |
| |
|
Title: Vice President and Secretary |
Exhibit 99.1
QVC Group Emergence Press
Release
QVC Group Announces Successful Completion
of Financial Restructuring Process
and Leadership Transition Plan
Company Emerges From Chapter 11 With Stronger
Balance Sheet to Accelerate Growth
and Continue Driving the Future of Live Social Shopping
David Rawlinson, President and CEO
of QVC Group Since 2021,
to Step Down and Facilitate Leadership Transition
Industry Veteran Mike George Appointed Chair
of the Board of Directors
and Interim Chief Executive Officer
WEST CHESTER, Pa., August 6, 2026 -- QVC Group, Inc.
(“QVC Group” or the “Company”) today announced that it has successfully completed its financial restructuring and
emerged from the U.S. Chapter 11 process. With total debt reduced by more than $5 billion and access to a new
$600 million asset-based lending facility led by funds managed by Strategic Value Partners, LLC and its affiliates (together, “SVP”)
and Oaktree Capital, the Company, whose common stock has been approved for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “QVCG,”
is well positioned to accelerate growth under a new leadership team and expand its position in live social shopping across social
platforms, streaming apps, ecommerce sites, retail stores and television networks.
In conjunction with the Company’s successful completion
of and emergence from its financial restructuring process, President and CEO David Rawlinson is stepping down and will be succeeded by
industry veteran Mike George as Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors, effective immediately.
“It has been a privilege to lead QVC Group over the past five
years, and I am incredibly proud of the resilience, commitment and execution our teams have demonstrated throughout that time,”
said Mr. Rawlinson. “I am grateful to our team, customers, partners and stakeholders for their trust, support and partnership.
Together, we built exciting momentum on new platforms, earned recognition as a TikTok Shop Seller of the Year for 2025 and exponentially
grew the reach of our streaming business, all while resetting our financial base. Now, as I step down, I can think of no one better
qualified to lead QVC Group than Mike George. Mike's industry knowledge, sound judgment and character make him the right leader to position
the Company well for continued success.”
“I am energized by the opportunity to return to QVC
Group at such an important moment in its journey,” said Mr. George. “I am excited to work closely with the new Board and current
management team, and to reconnect with our team members, building upon the strong foundation that has been established.
Together, we will continue to create innovative shopping experiences for customers and evolve the business to
capture value for all of our stakeholders as the Board searches for a permanent CEO.”
Since joining QVC Group in 2021, Mr. Rawlinson led the Company
through a period of significant transformation, including launching its WIN Growth Strategy, spearheading its expansion into live social
shopping and successfully guiding QVC Group through its Chapter 11 restructuring process, establishing a stronger financial foundation
to drive the Company’s long-term success.
Mr. Rawlinson continued, “My goals when joining QVC Group
involved navigating two complex phases. The first was stabilizing the Company amid significant challenges, which included cord cutting,
global tariffs that deeply impacted the retail industry and a major warehouse fire that affected our global operations. The second was
establishing new growth platforms while reducing the Company’s significant debt burden. After successfully accomplishing both objectives, I
believe it is the right time for me to step aside and pursue other transformative opportunities.”
NEW LEADERSHIP AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr. George brings decades of leadership experience in retail, ecommerce and
consumer engagement, including almost 16 years as President and Chief Executive Officer of QVC Group (formerly Qurate Retail
Group). He currently sits on the Boards of AutoZone and Ralph Lauren, serves on the Executive Committee and is past Chair of
the National Retail Federation, and Chairs the Board of the National Constitution Center. Prior to QVC Group, Mr. George held
leadership roles at Dell and McKinsey & Company, where he led the firm’s North American Retail Practice. His deep
understanding of QVC Group’s business, customers and culture, combined with his extensive leadership experience, positions
him well to lead the Company during this transition period.
The Company also announced the appointment of a new Board of Directors,
composed of eight directors, each of whom brings years of experience, relevant expertise and fresh perspectives to QVC Group.
The appointed directors are:
| · | Mike George, Chair of the Board, and Interim Chief Executive Officer
of QVC Group; |
| · | David Charles Boone, Chief Executive Officer of The Michaels Companies
and former Interim Chief Executive Officer of Essendant and former Chief Executive Officer of Staples Canada; |
| · | Nicolas Le Bourgeois, former leader of TikTok Shop in the United States
and former Amazon executive; |
| · | Jason Lee Horowitz, former Global Head of Marketing and Media at Mattel; |
| · | James A. Marcum, Executive Chair and former Chief Executive Officer
of David’s Bridal and a seasoned retail executive; |
| · | Ann Mather, former Chief Financial Officer of Pixar and experienced
public company director, including service on the Boards of Netflix, Alphabet, Airbnb and Pattern Group, and as Board Chair of Bumble; |
| · | Richard Andrew Mayfield, Senior Advisor at McKinsey and former Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Walmart International; and |
| · | Jonathan Seth Zinman, Managing Member of JZ Advisors LLC and former
Managing Director at Silver Point Capital. |
The Company’s current executive leadership team will remain in
place and partner closely with Mr. George and other key stakeholders to accelerate the Company’s path forward.
Mr. George added, “On behalf of the new Board, I want
to thank David for his leadership, vision and many contributions to QVC Group. We are grateful for his dedication and service, and wish
him every success in the future.”
Advisors
Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Gray Reed served as legal counsel,
Evercore Group L.L.C. served as financial advisor, AlixPartners, LLP served as restructuring advisor, and Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer
Katcher served as strategic communications advisor to QVC Group, Inc. (f/k/a QVC, Inc.) and Old QVC Group, Inc. (f/k/a
QVC Group, Inc.).
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and Porter Hedges LLP served as
legal counsel and PJT Partners LP served as financial advisor to an ad hoc group of noteholders of QVC Inc.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Howley Law PLLC served
as legal counsel and Lazard Frères & Co. LLC served as financial advisor to a revolving credit facility lender group of
QVC Inc.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP served as legal counsel
and Centerview Partners LLC served as financial advisor to an ad hoc group of noteholders of Liberty Interactive (LINTA).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements, including
statements regarding the Company’s business, product and marketing strategies (including its WIN Growth Strategy) and their expected
benefits, future liquidity and sources and uses of financing, future financial performance and prospects, the commencement of trading
of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq, the search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer and other matters that are not historical
facts. You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,”
“believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “should,” “may”
and other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Where, in any forward-looking
statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and
believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished.
You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements made in this press release. These forward-looking statements involve
many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements,
including: the Company’s ability to successfully implement its WIN Growth Strategy and other business strategies and initiatives;
the commencement of trading of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq; the effects of the Chapter 11 Cases on the interests of various
constituents and financial stakeholders and on the Company’s liquidity and results of operations, including increased legal and
other professional costs incurred in connection with the restructuring process; the Company’s ability to comply with the restrictions
imposed by the terms and conditions of the Takeback Notes Indenture, the Term Loan Credit Agreement, the Exit ABL Credit Agreement and
other financing arrangements; employee attrition and the Company’s ability to attract and retain senior management, including a
permanent Chief Executive Officer, and other key personnel; general market conditions, including as a result of tariff volatility and
uncertainty; competitive issues; regulatory matters affecting the Company’s businesses; changes in law and government regulations;
the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern; the effects of impairment losses; issues impacting the global supply chain
and labor market; and use of social media and influencers. These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other factors
speak only as of the date of this press release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any
updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with
regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Please
refer to the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q, for additional
information about the Company and about the risks and uncertainties related to its business, which may affect the statements made in this
press release.
About QVC Group, Inc.
QVC Group, Inc. is a Fortune 500 company with six leading retail
brands – QVC®, HSN®, Ballard Designs®, Frontgate®, Garnet Hill® and
Grandin Road® – and other minority interests (collectively, “QVC GroupSM”). QVC GroupSM is
a live social shopping company that redefines the shopping experience through video-driven commerce on every screen, from smartphones
and tablets to laptops and TVs. QVC Group brings innovative products, compelling content, and unforgettable moments to millions of shoppers
worldwide via social platforms, streaming apps, ecommerce sites and TV channels, making every screen a doorway to discovery, delight and
community.
QVC Group reaches more than 200
million homes worldwide via 15 television channels, which are widely available on cable/satellite TV, free over-the-air TV, and FAST and
other digital livestreaming TV. The retailer also reaches millions of customers via TikTok Shop (with 10 live channels), the QVC+ and
HSN+ streaming experience, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, websites, mobile apps, print catalogs, and in-store destinations.
Headquartered in West Chester,
Pa., QVC Group has team members in the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Japan, Italy, Poland and
China. For more information, visit qvcgrp.com, follow QVC Group on YouTube,
or search “QVC Group” on LinkedIn.
Effective August 4, 2026, the company formerly known as QVC Group, Inc.
changed its name to Old QVC Group, Inc., and effective August 6, 2026, QVC, Inc. changed its name to QVC Group, Inc.
As a result, the names ‘QVC Group,’ ‘the Company,’ ‘QVC, Inc.’ and ‘Old QVC Group’
are used interchangeably in this press release depending on the period being referenced.
Contacts
Media Inquiries:
QVC Group Media Relations
media.relations@qvc.com
Meaghan Repko / Michael Freitag / Richard M. Goldman
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
+1 212-355-4449
QVCmediainquiries@joelefrank.com
Investor Inquiries:
investor@qvcgrp.com
