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Exhibit 4.55    
    

Execution Version  

[CONFORMED
COPY] 

Novation and Assignment Agreement  

United Pan-Europe Communications N.V.  

And  

SBS Broadcasting S.A.  

And  

UGC Holdings, Inc.  

And  

UnitedGlobalCom Europe B.V.  

relating
to the Private Placement Agreement and the Investment Agreement 

8
April 2003 

1

 
 
 

CONTENTS    
    

	
 
	
 	

 
	
 	

 

	CLAUSE	 	PAGE
	 	 	 	 	 
	1.	 	CONDITIONS	 	3
	2.	 	THE PRIVATE PLACEMENT AGREEMENT	 	4
	3.	 	NOVATION	 	4
	4.	 	ASSIGNMENT	 	5
	5.	 	INDEMNITY	 	5
	6.	 	GOVERNING LAW	 	5
	7.	 	NOTICES	 	6
	8.	 	DEFINITIONS	 	6
	9.	 	NO OTHER AMENDMENT	 	6

ANNEXURE
A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

ANNEXURE B PRIVATE PLACEMENT AGREEMENT 

2

 

        THIS NOVATION AND ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT is made on 8 April 2003 

BETWEEN:  

	(1)
	UNITED PAN-EUROPE COMMUNICATIONS N.V., a public corporation organised with limited liability under the laws of The
Netherlands ("UPC");

	(2)
	SBS BROADCASTING S.A., a company organised under the laws of Luxembourg ("SBS");

	(3)
	UGC HOLDINGS, INC. (f/k/a UnitedGlobalCom, Inc. and United International Holdings, Inc.), a Delaware corporation
("UGC");

	(4)
	UNITEDGLOBALCOM EUROPE B.V. a company organised under the laws of The Netherlands ("UGC
Europe"). 

RECITALS  

	(A)
	By
an agreement between UPC, UGC and SBS dated as of 29 June 1999 (the "Investment Agreement"), UPC acquired 3,000,000 Common
Shares in SBS (the "Investment Shares").

	(B)
	UPC,
SBS and UGC entered into an agreement dated 27 January 2000 comprising a main agreement together with Exhibits 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A1, 6A2, 6B
and 7 (the "Private Placement Agreement") pursuant to which UPC agreed to acquire a further 3,000,000 Common Shares in SBS on the terms and
conditions set out in the Private Placement Agreement.

	(C)
	For
purposes of the novation under this agreement, the respective rights and obligations of SBS, UPC and UGC in respect of the Investment Shares are now governed by the Private
Placement Agreement.

	(D)
	With
the approval of SBS, UPC transferred the Investment Shares and Private Placement Shares (the "UPC Shares") to UPC
Investments I B.V. (the "UPC Investments").

	(E)
	Prior
to the date of this Agreement, UPC Investments intends to transfer the UPC Shares to UPC.

	(F)
	UPC
and United CMH Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("United CMH"), entered into a purchase and sale agreement dated as of
5 March 2003 (the "Purchase and Sale Agreement") whereby UPC agreed to sell and United CMH agreed to purchase the UPC Shares. In accordance with
the Purchase and Sale Agreement, United CMH transferred its right to purchase the UPC Shares to UGC Europe.

	(G)
	The
parties hereto desire to novate the Private Placement Agreement such that, with effect from Closing (as defined in the Purchase and Sale Agreement) and in consideration of SBS and
UGC releasing UPC from its obligations and liabilities in respect of the Private Placement Agreement arising from and after Closing, UGC Europe shall perform all the obligations and assume all the
liabilities of UPC under the Private Placement Agreement arising from and after Closing on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this agreement.

	(H)
	UPC
also is assigning to UGC Europe all the rights and benefits of UPC arising from and under the Private Placement Agreement and the Investment Agreement, to which UGC and SBS are
acknowledging and consenting. 

THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:  

1.     CONDITIONS

This
agreement is in all respects conditional upon the execution of and Closing of the purchase and sale under the Purchase and Sale Agreement, a copy of which is annexed hereto and marked "A". 

3

 

2.     THE PRIVATE PLACEMENT AGREEMENT  

	2.1
	Each
of UPC, UGC and SBS hereby severally confirms to UGC Europe that:

	(a)
	the
Private Placement Agreement is in full force and effect between UPC, UGC and SBS and that none of them have assigned or otherwise transferred any of their respective rights
under or in connection with the Private Placement Agreement; and

	(b)
	the
copy of the Private Placement Agreement annexed hereto and marked "B" is a true and complete copy thereof and that there has been no form of amendment thereto since its
execution. 

3.     NOVATION

	3.1
	Without
prejudice to any rights accrued (or liabilities arising from any act or omission of UPC) under the Private Placement Agreement up until Closing (and which will remain
exercisable and/or enforceable against UPC), SBS and UGC respectively release UPC of all its obligations and liabilities under or in connection with the Private Placement
Agreement insofar as they arise or relate to events occurring from and after Closing.

	3.2
	UGC
Europe undertakes with SBS and UGC on and with effect from Closing to perform the continuing obligations and assume the continuing liabilities of UPC under or
in connection with the Private Placement Agreement in all respects as if UGC Europe had been named as a party thereto in place of UPC (but which for the avoidance of doubt shall not
include any obligations or liabilities arising from any act or omission of UPC prior to Closing).

	3.3
	SBS
undertakes with UGC Europe on and with effect from Closing to perform SBS's continuing obligations and assume SBS's continuing liabilities under or in connection with the Private
Placement Agreement in all respects as if UGC Europe had been named as a party thereto in place of UPC (but which for the avoidance of doubt shall not include any obligations or
liabilities arising from any act or omission of SBS prior to Closing).

	3.4
	UGC
undertakes with UGC Europe on and with effect from Closing to perform UGC's continuing obligations and assume UGC's continuing liabilities under or in connection with the
Private Placement Agreement in all respects as if UGC Europe had been named as a party thereto in place of UPC (but which for the avoidance of doubt shall not include any obligations or liabilities
arising from any act or omission of UGC prior to Closing).

	3.5
	Each
of UPC and SBS acknowledges to the other that, on and with effect from Closing, neither will have any claims against the other in connection with any act or omission of
such other party under the Private Placement Agreement after Closing.

	3.6
	SBS
confirms that its Board of Directors has authorised UGC Europe to exceed the Share Ownership Limit pursuant to Article 6 of the Articles of Association of SBS to hold the
UPC Shares for so long as it remains a member of the United Group, which shares currently represent approximately 21% of the outstanding share capital of SBS, provided that any member of the United
Group that is a registered holder of the UPC Shares shall be a corporation, company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity formed under the laws of any country
within the European Union. 

Pursuant
to the above, the first sentence of Section 5.2 under (a) of the Private Placement Agreement hereby is deleted and replaced by the following: 

"Subject
to Section 2.3, all of the Covered Securities acquired by the United Group may be transferred to and held by other members of the United Group so long as they remain members of the
United Group and provided that each of them is a corporation, company, partnership, joint 

4

 

venture,
trust, unincorporated organization or other entity formed under the laws of any country within the European Union, but shall be transferable to Persons that are not members of the United
Group only in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in Article VII of this Agreement. If despite using best commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any such member of the
United Group is formed under the laws of a country within the European Union, the United Group desires to transfer all of the Covered Securities to other members of the United Group that are not
formed under the laws of a country within the European Union because it is reasonably unable to avoid material adverse tax or other consequences through a transfer to a member of the United Group that
is formed under the laws of a country within the European Union, then the United Group shall provide reasonably detailed information to the Company regarding the material adverse consequences that
would arise from a transfer to a member of the United Group that is formed under the laws of a country within the European Union and the rationale for the proposed transfer and will obtain the prior
written consent of the Company to such a transfer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that such consent may be withheld by the Company, if the Company has
received written advice from its legal advisors or relevant regulatory authority that such proposed transfer would reasonably be likely to violate or result in the revocation of or substantial penalty
under any broadcast license which SBS or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates holds at the time." 

	3.7
	UGC
Europe and UGC acknowledge and accept that any change in the identity of the person who has been nominated and elected to the Board of Directors of SBS in accordance with
Section 5.1(d) of the Private Placement Agreement will be regulated by the provisions of Section 5.1(d) of the Private Placement Agreement. 

4.     ASSIGNMENT

	4.1
	On
and with effect from Closing, UPC transfers, grants, conveys and assigns to UGC Europe, and UGC Europe accepts from UPC, all rights and benefits of UPC
arising from or under the Private Placement Agreement, the Investment Agreement and any other agreement or instrument entered into by UPC in connection therewith (which for the avoidance of
doubt shall include any right or benefit of UPC arising from any act or omission of UGC or SBS, as the case may be, under any such agreement or instrument prior to Closing).

	4.2
	Each
of UGC and SBS acknowledges and consents to the transfer, grant, conveyance and assignment set out in clause 4.1 of this agreement. 

5.     INDEMNITY

UPC
indemnifies UGC Europe and shall keep UGC Europe indemnified against all liability, costs, damages and claims made against UGC Europe by SBS or UGC in connection with any act or
omission occurring under the Private Placement Agreement prior to Closing. 

6.     GOVERNING LAW

This
agreement (and any dispute, controversy, proceedings or claim of whatever nature arising out of or in any way relating to this agreement or its formation) shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York. 

5

 

7.     NOTICES

The
details specified for "the Investor" in section 8.8 of the Private Placement Agreement shall be deleted and replaced with the following: 

UnitedGlobalCom
Europe B.V.

c/o UnitedGlobalCom, Inc.

4643 South Ulster Street, #1300

Denver, Colorado 80237, U.S.A.
 Attention: President and Legal Department

Facsimile: +1 303 770 4207 

With
copies to: 

Holme
Roberts & Owen LLP

1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 4100

Denver, Colorado 80203, U.S.A.
 Attention: W. Dean Salter

Facsimile: +1 303 866 0200 

8.     DEFINITIONS

Unless
otherwise indicated, capitalised terms in this agreement shall have their respective meanings set out in the Private Placement Agreement. 

9.     NO OTHER AMENDMENT

Except
to the extent expressly amended hereby, all terms and conditions of the Private Placement Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. 

        IN WITNESS whereof this agreement has been executed on the date first above written. 

	 	 	 
	Signed by

for and on behalf of
 UNITED PAN-EUROPE COMMUNICATIONS N.V.	)

)

)	/s/ C. Bracken
	

Signed by

for and on behalf of
 SBS BROADCASTING S.A.	

)

)

)	

/s/ E.T. Moe
	

Signed by

for and on behalf of
 UGC HOLDINGS, INC.	

)

)

)	

/s/ M.T. Fries
	

Signed by

for and on behalf of
 UNITEDGLOBALCOM EUROPE B.V.	

)

)

)	

/s/ M.T. Fries

6

CONFORMED AS EXECUTED

 
 

ANNEXURE A    
    
    PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT    
    

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

by and between

UNITED CMH HOLDINGS, INC.

and

UNITED PAN-EUROPE COMMUNICATIONS N.V.

Dated as of March 5, 2003  

 
  
 

    TABLE OF CONTENTS    
    

	ARTICLE I	 	DEFINITIONS	 	1
	ARTICLE II	 	PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE PURCHASED SHARES	 	4
	Section 2.1	 	Purchase and Sale of the Purchased Shares	 	4
	Section 2.2	 	The Purchaser's Investigation	 	4
	ARTICLE III	 	PURCHASE PRICE	 	4
	Section 3.1	 	Purchase Price; Payment of Purchase Price	 	4
	Section 3.2	 	Credit Support	 	4
	ARTICLE IV	 	CLOSING	 	4
	Section 4.1	 	Closing	 	4
	Section 4.2	 	Deliveries by the Seller at the Closing	 	5
	Section 4.3	 	Deliveries by the Purchaser at the Closing	 	5
	Section 4.4	 	Further Assurances	 	5
	ARTICLE V	 	BANKRUPTCY COURT APPROVAL	 	5
	Section 5.1	 	Bankruptcy Court Orders	 	5
	ARTICLE VI	 	APPROVAL OF THE ADMINISTRATOR	 	6
	Section 6.1	 	Approval of the Administrator	 	6
	ARTICLE VII	 	REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER	 	6
	Section 7	 	Representations of the Seller	 	6
	Section 7.1	 	Existence	 	6
	Section 7.2	 	Authorization and Validity of Agreement	 	6
	Section 7.3	 	Ownership of Purchased Shares	 	7
	Section 7.4	 	Consents and Approvals; No Violations	 	7
	Section 7.5	 	Broker's or Finder's Fees	 	7
	ARTICLE VIII	 	REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASER	 	7
	Section 8	 	Representations of the Purchaser	 	7
	Section 8.1	 	Existence and Good Standing; Authorization and Validity of Agreement	 	7
	Section 8.2	 	Consents and Approvals; No Violations	 	8
	Section 8.3	 	Available Funds	 	8
	Section 8.4	 	Section 363 Order	 	8
	Section 8.5	 	Broker's or Finder's Fees	 	8
	ARTICLE IX	 	ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS	 	8
	Section 9.1	 	Reasonable Efforts; Cooperation; Consents and Approvals	 	8
	Section 9.2	 	Alternative Transaction Provisions	 	9
	ARTICLE X	 	CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PURCHASER	 	9
	Section 10	 	Conditions to the Purchaser's Obligations	 	9
	Section 10.1	 	Truth of Representations and Warranties	 	9
	Section 10.2	 	Performance of Agreements	 	9
	Section 10.3	 	No Injunction	 	10
	Section 10.4	 	Statutes	 	10
	Section 10.5	 	Governmental and Other Approvals	 	10
	Section 10.6	 	Opinion of Counsel	 	10
	Section 10.7	 	No Material Adverse Effect	 	10
	Section 10.8	 	Assignment of Private Placement Agreement	 	10
	Section 10.9	 	Bankruptcy Matters	 	10
	Section 10.10	 	Administrator	 	11
	ARTICLE XI	 	CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLER	 	11
	Section 11	 	Conditions to the Seller's Obligations	 	11
	Section 11.1	 	Truth of Representations and Warranties	 	11
	Section 11.2	 	Performance of Agreements	 	11
	 	 	 	 	 

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	Section 11.3	 	No Injunction	 	11
	Section 11.4	 	Statutes	 	11
	Section 11.5	 	Governmental and Other Approvals	 	11
	Section 11.6	 	Assignment of Private Placement Agreement	 	11
	Section 11.7	 	Bankruptcy Matters	 	11
	Section 11.8	 	Administrator	 	12
	ARTICLE XII	 	TERMINATION	 	12
	Section 12.1	 	No Survival of Representations and Warranties	 	12
	Section 12.2	 	Events of Termination	 	12
	Section 12.3	 	Effect of Termination	 	12
	ARTICLE XIII	 	MISCELLANEOUS	 	13
	Section 13.1	 	Expenses; Fees	 	13
	Section 13.2	 	Transfer Taxes	 	13
	Section 13.3	 	1999 Agreement Waivers	 	13
	Section 13.4	 	APPLICABLE LAW	 	13
	Section 13.5	 	JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL	 	13
	Section 13.6	 	Captions; Headings; Table of Contents	 	13
	Section 13.7	 	Notices	 	13
	Section 13.8	 	Assignment; Parties in Interest	 	15
	Section 13.9	 	Counterparts; Effectiveness	 	15
	Section 13.10	 	Entire Agreement	 	15
	Section 13.11	 	Third Party Beneficiaries	 	15
	Section 13.12	 	Severability; Enforcement	 	15
	Section 13.13	 	Amendments; Waiver	 	15
	Section 13.14	 	No Strict Construction	 	15
	EXHIBITS	 	 	 	 
	Exhibit A Form of Section 363 Order	 	 
	SCHEDULES	 	 	 	 
	Schedule 7.3 Ownership of Shares	 	 
	Schedule 7.4 Consents and Approvals; No Violations	 	 
	Schedule 8.2 Consents and Approvals; No Violations	 	 

iii

  

 
 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT    
    

        PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of March 5, 2003, by and between UNITED CMH
HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Purchaser") and UNITED PAN-EUROPE COMMUNICATIONS N.V., a public company with limited
liability (naamloze vennootschap) organized under the laws of The Netherlands (the "Seller" and,
together with the Purchaser, each, a "Party" and, collectively, the "Parties"). Other capitalized terms
used herein are defined in Article I. 

 
 

WITNESSETH:    
    

        WHEREAS, the Purchaser desires to purchase 6,000,000 common shares of $1.50 each (as may be adjusted to reflect any reclassification, stock split, reverse stock
split, stock dividend or distribution, subdivision, recapitalization or other similar transaction, the "Shares") of SBS Broadcasting S.A., a joint stock
company organized and existing under the laws of Luxembourg ("SBS"), and the Seller desires to sell the Shares to the Purchaser on the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with Sections 105, 363 and 1146 of title 11 of the United States Code (as in effect for cases filed on the Petition Date, the
"Bankruptcy Code") and other applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code; 

        WHEREAS,
the Seller has commenced a voluntary Chapter 11 case (the "Chapter 11 Case") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
Southern District of New York (the "Bankruptcy Court") and the Purchased Shares will be sold pursuant to an order of the Bankruptcy Court approving such
sale under Sections 363 and 1146 of the Bankruptcy Code and the terms and conditions of this Agreement; 

        WHEREAS,
the Seller desires to sell the Purchased Shares to further its reorganization efforts and to enable it to consummate a plan of reorganization in the Chapter 11 Case; 

        WHEREAS,
the Seller holds the Shares subject to certain rights and obligations as set forth in a Private Placement Agreement dated January 27, 2000 (the
"Private Placement Agreement"); 

        WHEREAS,
the Seller has commenced a moratorium of payments in The Netherlands under Dutch bankruptcy law and filed a proposed plan of compulsory composition, or an  Akkoord, with the Amsterdam Court (Rechtbank) (the "Dutch Bankruptcy
Court") under the Dutch Faillissementswet (the "Dutch Bankruptcy Code"); and 

        WHEREAS,
the Dutch Bankruptcy Court has appointed an Administrator (the "Administrator") in accordance with the Dutch Bankruptcy Code to
oversee the operations of the Seller; 

        NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises herein made, and in consideration of the representations, warranties, and covenants herein contained, and for
other good and valuable consideration described herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows: 

 
 

ARTICLE 1
  
    DEFINITIONS    
    

        "Administrator" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals. 

        "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person which, directly or indirectly, through one (1) or more
intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first Person. As used herein, the term "control" (including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlled by"
and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, means the 

1

 

possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. 

        "Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble. 

        "Back-Up Bidder" means that Person, if any, determined by the Seller to have made the second highest or best offer for the
Purchased Shares at the Sale Hearing. 

        "Bankruptcy Code" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals. 

        "Bankruptcy Court" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals. 

        "Bankruptcy Event" shall mean (a) an involuntary proceeding shall have been commenced or an involuntary petition shall have been
filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of SBS or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law of the United States or any other
country or any political subdivision of any of them now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for SBS,
and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall have continued undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall have been entered; or
(b) SBS shall have (i) voluntarily commenced any proceeding or filed any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or
similar law of the United States or any other country or any political subdivision of any of them now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consented to the institution of, or failed to contest in a
timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (a) of this definition, (iii) applied for or consented to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian,
sequestrator, conservator or similar official for SBS, (iv) filed an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition against it in any such proceeding, (v) made a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) taken any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing. 

        "Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are required or authorized to close in New
York, New York, Denver, Colorado, Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, or Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 

        "Chapter 11 Case" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals. 

        "Closing" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1. 

        "Closing Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1. 

        "Competing Transaction" means any proposed transfer or disposition of all or substantially all of the Purchased Shares directly by the
Seller in a single transaction or series of related transactions to any Person other than the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement. 

        "Credit Support Arrangement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2. 

        "Dollars" or "$" means the official currency adopted by the United States of America. 

        "Dutch Bankruptcy Code" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals. 

        "Dutch Bankruptcy Court" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals. 

        "Effective Date" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan. 

        "Encumbrances" means all liens, equities, claims, demands, judgments, licenses, subleases, encumbrances, mortgages, pledges, security
interests, conditional sales agreements, charges, options, warrants, purchase rights, commitments, rights of first refusal, reservations, restrictions or other encumbrances or defects in title of any
kind. 

2

 

        "Euros" or "€" means the currency adopted by those countries participating
in the third stage of European monetary union. 

        "Governmental Authority" means any foreign, federal, state or local government, political subdivision or governmental, regulatory or
administrative authority, body, agency, board, bureau, commission, department, instrumentality or court, quasi-governmental authority, self-regulatory organization or stock exchange. 

        "Law" or "Laws" means any and all statutes, laws, ordinances, proclamations, regulations,
published requirements, orders, decrees, consent decrees and rules of any Governmental Authority, in each case, as amended and in effect from time to time. 

        "Material Adverse Effect" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.7. 

        "1999 Agreement" means that certain Agreement, dated as of     February 1999, by and between UGC
Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a United International Holdings, Inc.) and the Seller. 

        "Party" and "Parties" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble. 

        "Person" means and includes any individual, any legal entity, including, without limitation, any partnership, joint venture, corporation,
limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, and any Governmental Authority. 

        "Petition Date" means December 3, 2002, the date that the Seller filed the voluntary petition for relief pursuant to Chapter 11 of
the Bankruptcy Code commencing the Chapter 11 Case. 

        "Plan" means the Second Amended Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization Jointly Proposed by Seller and New UPC, Inc., dated
January 7, 2003 and filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court on January 9, 2003, as amended from time to time after the date hereof. 

        "Private Placement Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals. 

        "Proposed Sale" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(a). 

        "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a). 

        "Purchased Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1. 

        "Purchaser" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble. 

        "Restructuring Agreement" means the Restructuring Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2002, by and among the Seller, New
UPC, Inc., UnitedGlobalCom, Inc., UGC Holdings, Inc., United Europe, Inc., United UPC Bonds, LLC and certain holders of UPC Notes (as defined therein), as amended from time
to time. 

        "Sale Hearing" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(a). 

        "SBS" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals. 

        "Section 363 Order" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.l(a). 

        "Seller" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble. 

        "Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals. 

        "Tax" or "Taxes" means any foreign, federal, state or local income, gross receipts,
license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or
similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated or other tax of any kind
whatsoever, including all estimated taxes, deficiency assessments and any interest, penalty or addition thereto. 

3

 

 
 

ARTICLE II
  
    PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE PURCHASED SHARES    
    

        Section 2.1    Purchase and Sale of the Purchased Shares.    Pursuant to Sections 363 and 1146 (and other
applicable provisions) of the Bankruptcy Code and on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing provided for in Section 4.1, the Purchaser will purchase, acquire
and accept (or cause to be purchased, acquired and accepted) from the Seller, and the Seller will sell, transfer, convey, assign and deliver (or cause to be sold, transferred, conveyed, assigned and
delivered) to the Purchaser, against the receipt by the Seller of the consideration specified in Section 3.1, free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than Encumbrances subject created by the
Purchaser, all of the Seller's right, title and interest in and to the Shares (collectively, the "Purchased Shares"). 

        Section 2.2    The Purchaser's Investigation.    The Purchaser hereby acknowledges and agrees that,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (a) except as otherwise expressly set forth in Article VII of this Agreement, the Seller makes no representations or warranties
whatsoever, express or implied, with respect to any matter relating to the Purchased Shares, and (b) the Seller makes no representations or warranties whatsoever, express or implied, with
respect to any matter relating to
SBS, its subsidiaries or any of their respective assets, liabilities or operations. The Purchaser further acknowledges that the Purchaser has conducted independent due diligence with respect to SBS,
its subsidiaries or any of their respective assets, liabilities or operations as the Purchaser deemed necessary or appropriate and that in proceeding with its acquisition of the Purchased Shares, the
Purchaser is doing so based upon such independent due diligence. 

 
 

ARTICLE III
  
    PURCHASE PRICE    
    

        Section 3.1    Purchase Price; Payment of Purchase Price.    (a) The purchase price payable to the
Seller by the Purchaser as consideration for the sale, conveyance, transfer and assignment of the Purchased Shares will consist of an amount in cash equal to One Hundred Million Euros
(€ 100,000,000.00) (the "Purchase Price"). 

        (b)   On
the Closing Date, the Purchaser will deliver, or cause to be delivered, as consideration for the Purchased Shares, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
the account of the Seller, an amount equal to the Purchase Price. 

        Section 3.2    Credit Support.    Within two (2) Business Days of the receipt of the Section 363
Order, the Purchaser, at its option, shall deliver to the Seller a letter of credit, bank guaranty or other similar instrument or arrangement or, at Purchaser's option, shall deposit funds in an
amount equal to the Purchase Price in an escrow account or similar arrangement (each a "Credit Support Arrangement") which such Credit Support
Arrangement shall secure the Purchaser's obligations to purchase and pay for the Shares upon satisfaction or waiver by the Purchaser, of the conditions to the Purchaser's obligations set forth in
Article X and shall be on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Seller and the Administrator. 

 
 

ARTICLE IV
  
    CLOSING    
    

        Section 4.1    Closing.    Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the closing of the purchase
and sale of the Purchased Shares (the "Closing") will be at 10:00 A.M. (Central European time) at the offices of the Seller, Boeing Avenue 53,
Schiphol-Rijk 1119, The Netherlands, or at such other location agreed to by the Purchaser and the Seller, on the Business Day which is two (2) Business Days before the Effective
Date or such earlier date as is designated by the Purchaser 

4

 

which
such date shall be at least two (2) Business Days after the date on which all the conditions to the Parties' obligations hereunder (other than conditions with respect to actions the
Parties will take at the Closing) have been satisfied or waived by the appropriate party (the "Closing Date"). 

        Section 4.2    Deliveries by the Seller at the Closing.    At the Closing, the Seller will deliver, or cause to
be delivered, to the Purchaser: 

        (a)   the
certificates representing the Purchased Shares, duly endorsed in blank, or accompanied by (i) either stock powers duly executed in blank by the Seller or such
other instruments of transfer as are necessary to effect the transfer of the Shares in Luxembourg, in each case, with all necessary transfer tax and other revenue stamps, acquired at the Seller's
expense, affixed and canceled, (ii) a notification to SBS of the transfer of the Shares, such notification to be accompanied by a copy of this Agreement and (iii) proof of payment of the
Purchase Price; and 

        (b)   the
various documents, certificates, instruments or writings referred to in Article X and such other documents, certificates, instruments or writings as may be
reasonably necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to comply with the terms hereof (including, without limitation, such documents, certificates, instruments and
writings intended for delivery to SBS as the Purchaser shall reasonably request in connection with effecting the transfer of the Purchased Shares to the Purchaser). 

        Each
of the Seller and the Purchaser agrees to use their commercially reasonable efforts to supply SBS with all documentation necessary to register the Purchaser as the holder of record
of the Purchased Shares. 

        Section 4.3    Deliveries by the Purchaser at the Closing.    At the Closing, the Purchaser will: 

        (i)    pay
to the Seller the Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified by the Seller at least two (2) Business Days prior
to the Closing Date; and 

        (ii)   deliver,
or cause to be delivered, to the Seller the various documents, certificates, instruments or writings referred to in Article XI and such other documents,
certificates, instruments or writings as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to comply with the terms hereof (including, without limitation,
such documents, certificates, instruments and writings intended for delivery to SBS as the Seller shall reasonably request in connection with effecting the transfer of the Purchased Shares to
Purchaser). 

        Section 4.4    Further Assurances.    After the Closing and without further consideration, each Party will from
time to time, at the reasonable request of any other Party, execute and deliver such other instruments of conveyance and transfer and such other instruments, documents and agreements and take such
other actions as such other Party may reasonably request or as may be reasonably requested by any applicable Governmental Authorities or third parties, in each case in order to more effectively or
more expeditiously consummate any of the transactions contemplated hereby and to vest in the Purchaser the right, title and interest in and to the Purchased Shares; provided that the requesting Party
will prepare any additional documents and instruments and will handle any submissions, applications, processing, recording and registrations. Without limiting the provisions of Section 13.4,
the Purchaser and the Seller hereby irrevocably consent to the personal and subject-matter jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court for all purposes necessary to effectuate this Section 4.4. 

 
 

ARTICLE V
  
    BANKRUPTCY COURT APPROVAL    
    

        Section 5.1    Bankruptcy Court Orders.    (a) The Seller shall as promptly as reasonably practicable,
but in any event no later than two (2) Business Days after the date of this Agreement, file a motion with the Bankruptcy Court seeking an order approving, among other things, the
Seller's request to sell 

5

 

and
assign, as applicable, the Purchased Shares to the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement and Sections 363 and 1146 of the Bankruptcy Code, free and clear of all Encumbrances in or on the Purchased
Shares (the "Proposed Sale", and the hearing to consider approval of the Proposed Sale, the "Sale
Hearing") (the "Section 363 Order"). The Section 363 Order will be substantially in the form annexed hereto as  Exhibit A and the motion relating to the Section 363 Order will be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser. 

        (b)   Subject
to the Seller's obligations to comply with any order of the Bankruptcy Court (including, without limitation, the Section 363 Order), the Seller and the
Purchaser will promptly make any filings, take all actions and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any and all other approvals and orders necessary or appropriate for consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby. 

        (c)   In
the event an appeal is taken, or a stay pending appeal is requested or reconsideration is sought, from the Section 363 Order, the Seller will immediately
notify the Purchaser of such appeal or stay request and will provide to the Purchaser within two (2) Business Days a copy of the related notice of appeal or order of stay or application for
reconsideration. The Seller will also provide the Purchaser with written notice and copies of any other or further notice of appeal, motion or application filed in connection with any appeal from or
application for reconsideration of, any of such orders and any related briefs. 

        (d)   The
Seller will notify, as is required by the Bankruptcy Code (as modified by any order of the Bankruptcy Court) and reasonably requested by the Purchaser, all parties
entitled to notice of all motions, notices and orders required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Section 363 Order, as modified
by orders in respect of notice which may be issued at any time and from time to time by the Bankruptcy Court. 

 
 

ARTICLE VI
  
    APPROVAL OF THE ADMINISTRATOR    
    

        Section 6.1    Approval of the Administrator.    The Seller shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
seek all authorizations, approvals and consents of the Administrator necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. 

 
 

ARTICLE VII
  
    REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER    
    

        Section 7    Representations of the Seller.    The Seller represents and warrants as follows: 

        Section 7.1    Existence.    The Seller is a public company with limited liability
(naamloze vennootschap) duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of The Netherlands. The Seller has the corporate power and authority to
own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as is presently conducted. 

        Section 7.2    Authorization and Validity of Agreement.    Subject to any necessary authority from the
Bankruptcy Court, the Seller has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Seller, and the consummation by the Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly authorized and approved by the
Seller's Board of Management, Supervisory Board and the Administrator and no other corporate action on the part of the Seller is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by the Seller and the consummation by the Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Seller and, 

6

 

assuming
it constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser, is a valid and binding obligation of the Seller enforceable against the Seller in accordance with its terms, upon the entry of
the Section 363 Order. 

        Section 7.3    Ownership of Purchased Shares.    On the date of this Agreement, UPC Investments I BV, an
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Seller, is the holder of record, and the Seller is the lawful owner, beneficially, of all of the Purchased Shares, free and clear of all Encumbrances, other
than the Encumbrances set forth in Schedule 7.3. At the Closing Date, the Seller shall be the holder of record and the lawful owner,
beneficially, of all the Purchased Shares, free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than the Encumbrances set forth in Schedule 7.3. The Seller
is not a party to any option, warrant, purchase right, or other contract or commitment that could require the Seller to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any capital stock of SBS (other than this
Agreement). The delivery to the Purchaser of the Purchased Shares pursuant to this Agreement, together with the registration of the sale and transfer by SBS in its register of shareholders, will
transfer to the Purchaser good and valid title to the Purchased Shares, free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than the Encumbrances set forth in  Schedule 7.3. 

        Section 7.4    Consents and Approvals; No Violations.    Except as set forth in  Schedule 7.4, assuming the receipt of the necessary
approvals of the Bankruptcy Court (including, without limitation, the Section 363
Order) and the Administrator, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Seller and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not: (a) violate any provision of the
articles of incorporation, bylaws or other constituent documents of the Seller; (b) result in the creation of any Encumbrance on or with respect to the Purchased Shares; (c) violate any
Law by which the Seller is bound, (d) require any filing with, or permit, consent or approval of, or the giving of any notice to, any Governmental Authority or third party and (e) result
in a violation or breach of, conflict with, constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, payment or acceleration)
under, or result in the creation of any Encumbrances upon any of the properties or assets of the Seller or any of its subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, license, franchise, permit, agreement, lease, franchise agreement or any other instrument or obligation to which the Seller or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or by which it
or any of its properties or assets may be bound excluding from the foregoing clause (c), (d) and (e) filings, notices, permits, consents and approvals the absence of which, are
violations, breaches, defaults, conflicts and Encumbrances which, individually or in the aggregate, would not (x) reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Seller or
(y) prevent, materially
interfere or delay the Seller from performing its obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. 

        Section 7.5    Broker's or Finder's Fees.    No agent, broker, Person or firm acting on behalf of the Seller
is, or will be, entitled to any commission or broker's or finder's fees from any Party, or from any Affiliate of any Party, in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
for which the Purchaser could become liable or obligated. 

 
 

ARTICLE VIII
  
    REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASER    
    

        Section 8    Representations of the Purchaser.    The Purchaser represents and warrants as follows: 

        Section 8.1    Existence and Good Standing; Authorization and Validity of Agreement.    (a)    The
Purchaser is a corporation (or other entity) duly incorporated (or organized as the case may be), validly existing and in good standing (if applicable) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation (or other formation). 

7

 

        (b)   The
Purchaser has full corporate (or other entity) power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Purchaser, and the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been
duly authorized and approved by the Purchaser's board of directors (or other relevant management authority). This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Purchaser and, assuming it
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Seller, is a valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that its
enforceability may be subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and to general equitable
principles, whether invoked in a proceeding in equity or at law. 

        Section 8.2    Consents and Approvals; No Violations.    Except as set forth in  Schedule 8.2 and assuming the receipt of the necessary
approvals of the Bankruptcy Court (including, without limitation, the
Section 363 Order) and the Administrator, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (a) will not violate
any provisions of the certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other constituent documents of the Purchaser, (b) will not violate any Law by which the Purchaser is bound and
(c) will not to our knowledge require any filing with, or permit, consent or approval of, or the giving of any notice to, any Governmental Authority or third party on or prior to the Closing
Date excluding from the foregoing clause (b) and (c) filings, notices, permits, consents and approvals the absence of which, are violations, breaches, defaults, conflicts and
Encumbrances which, individually or in the aggregate, would not (x) reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Purchaser or (y) prevent, materially interfere or
delay the Purchaser from performing its obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. 

        Section 8.3    Available Funds.    The Purchaser has sufficient funds available to it to perform all of its
obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, to pay the Purchase Price in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. 

        Section 8.4    Section 363 Order.    The form of Section 363 Order attached hereto in  Exhibit A is in form and substance
satisfactory to the Purchaser. 

        Section 8.5    Broker's or Finder's Fees.    No agent, broker, Person or firm acting on behalf of the Purchaser
is, or will be, entitled to any commission or broker's or finder's fees in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which the Seller could become liable or obligated. 

 
 

ARTICLE IX
  
    ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS    
    

        Section 9.1    Reasonable Efforts; Cooperation; Consents and Approvals.    Subject to the Seller's obligation
to comply with any order of the Bankruptcy Court (including, without limitation, the Section 363 Order), each of the Parties agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause
to be taken, all action to do or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with each other Party in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most
expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (in each case, to the extent that the same is within the control of such Party), including, without limitation,
(i) compliance with any Bankruptcy Court approvals, consents and orders, (ii) the obtaining of all necessary waivers, consents and approvals from Governmental Authorities and the making
of all necessary registrations and filings and the taking of all reasonable steps as may be necessary to obtain any approval or waiver from, or to avoid any action or proceeding by, any Governmental
Authority, (iii) the obtaining of all necessary consents, approvals or waivers from third parties, (iv) the defending of any lawsuits or any 

8

 

other
legal proceedings whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (v) compliance with any authorizations,
approvals or consents of the Administrator, and (vi) causing the conditions set forth in Articles X and XI to be satisfied. The Seller will use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain
from the Bankruptcy Court all orders, consents and approvals necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. 

        Section 9.2    Alternative Transaction Provisions.    (a)    The Seller shall be entitled to consider
Competing Transactions and solicit offers in respect of Competing Transactions consistent with its fiduciary obligations as a debtor-in-possession in the Chapter 11 Case;  provided that the Seller shall
require that any such proposal in respect of a Competing Transaction provide for (i) the payment directly to the
Seller of net cash proceeds in Euros greater than the Purchase Price and (ii) a transaction that closes at least two (2) Business Days before the Effective Date. 

        (b)   The
Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Seller may consider proposals and solicit offers for the Purchased Shares, (ii) such consideration or
solicitation is not a breach of this Agreement and (iii) if the Bankruptcy Court at the Sale Hearing (x) authorizes a sale of the Purchased Shares to a purchaser or purchasers other than
the Purchaser and (y) approves the Purchaser's bid as the second highest or best bid (as determined by the Seller), the Purchaser shall keep its offer open under this Agreement until the
Business Day immediately before the Effective Date. 

        (c)   During
the period from the date of entry of the Section 363 Order to the earlier of the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms and the
Closing, subject to the Seller's obligations as a debtor-in-possession under the Bankruptcy Code, neither the Seller nor any of its controlled Affiliates or representatives
shall seek any relief or approval from the Bankruptcy Court which is inconsistent with this Agreement or the Section 363 Order. 

        (d)   If
the Bankruptcy Court approves a Competing Transaction as a "higher and better" offer made for the Purchased Shares, the Seller will have the right to enter into a
definitive agreement providing for the Competing Transaction and terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 12.2(f). 

 
 

ARTICLE X
  
    CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PURCHASER    
    

        Section 10    Conditions to the Purchaser's Obligations.    The obligations of the Purchaser to consummate the
Closing are conditioned upon the satisfaction or waiver by the Purchaser in writing (subject to applicable Law), on or prior to the Closing Date, of the following conditions: 

        Section 10.1    Truth of Representations and Warranties.    The representations and warranties of the Seller
contained in this Agreement qualified by materiality shall be true and correct in all respects, except for such exceptions as are permitted by this Agreement, without further qualification as of the
Closing Date, as if made on such date (except for representations and warranties that relate to a specific date, which shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date), and all
representations and warranties of the Seller contained in this Agreement that are not so qualified shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date, as if made on such date with only
such exceptions as are permitted by this Agreement or which, individually or in the aggregate, would not prevent, materially interfere or delay the Seller from performing its obligations under this
Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (except for representations and warranties that relate to a specific date, which shall be true and correct in all
respects as of such date). 

        Section 10.2    Performance of Agreements.    Each and all of the agreements of the Seller to be performed on
or prior to the Closing pursuant to the terms hereof shall have been duly performed in all material respects, and the Seller shall have delivered to the Purchaser a certificate, dated the Closing
Date, to such effect. 

9

 

        Section 10.3    No Injunction.    No action, suit or proceeding shall be pending before any court or other
government body or public authority wherein an unfavorable injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling or charge would (a) restrain or prohibit the completion of the transactions contemplated
hereby, (b) cause any of the transactions contemplated hereby to be rescinded after consummation, (c) affect adversely Purchaser's right to own the Purchased Shares or (d) affect
adversely the right of SBS or any
of its subsidiaries to own its assets and to operate its businesses (and no such injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling or charge shall then be in effect). 

        Section 10.4    Statutes.    No Law of any kind shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by
any Governmental Authority which prohibits, or has the effect of making illegal, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. 

        Section 10.5    Governmental and Other Approvals.    All material governmental and other material consents and
approvals (including, without limitation, any necessary action by or consent of SBS) necessary to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been received. 

        Section 10.6    Opinion of Counsel.    The Purchaser shall have received from counsel to the Purchaser an
opinion addressed to the Purchaser in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser and dated as of the Closing Date. 

        Section 10.7    No Material Adverse Effect.    There shall not have occurred any change, condition, event or
development that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. "Material Adverse Effect" means
one or more of the following: (i) any change in or effect on the business of SBS and its subsidiaries taken as a whole that is or would be reasonably expected to be materially adverse to any of
the condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, assets, liabilities or results of operations of the SBS and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) a Bankruptcy Event occurs in
respect of SBS or any of its subsidiaries; and (iii) a decline at any time after the date hereof for any consecutive five trading day period of 15% or more in the closing sales price per share
of the common shares of SBS as reported on Euronext Amsterdam N.V., as measured against €12.90 (as adjusted to reflect any reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend or distribution, subdivision, recapitalization or other similar transaction). 

        Section 10.8    Assignment of Private Placement Agreement.    The Purchaser shall have received an assignment
and assumption agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser, pursuant to which all of the Seller's rights and obligations under the Private Placement Agreement shall be
assigned and delegated to the Purchaser. Such assignment and assumption agreement shall be effective upon Closing, but not otherwise, and shall have been duly executed by the Seller and, if necessary
for its validity and enforceability, each other party to the Private Placement Agreement. 

        Section 10.9    Bankruptcy Matters.    All necessary authorizations, consents, orders and approvals of the
Bankruptcy Court necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained. The Section 363 Order shall have been entered by the Bankruptcy
Court and such order shall not have been stayed, modified, reversed or amended in any manner materially adverse to the Purchaser and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Purchaser; and
the Seller shall have received from the Bankruptcy Court all other orders, approvals and consents required to transfer the Purchased Shares and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. The Plan shall have been confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court on substantially the terms set forth in the Second Amended Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization Jointly Proposed by Seller and New
UPC, Inc., dated January 7, 2003 and filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court on January 9, 2003. 

10

 

        Section 10.10    Administrator.    All authorizations, approvals and consents of the Administrator necessary
for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained. 

 
 

ARTICLE XI
  
    CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLER    
    

        Section 11    Conditions to the Seller's Obligations.    The obligations of the Seller to consummate the
Closing are conditioned upon the satisfaction or waiver by the Seller in writing (subject to applicable law), on or prior to the Closing Date, of the following conditions: 

        Section 11.1    Truth of Representations and Warranties.    The representations and warranties of the Purchaser
contained in this Agreement qualified by materiality shall be true and correct in all respects, except for such exceptions as are permitted by this Agreement, without further qualification as of the
Closing Date, as if made on such date (except for representations and warranties that relate to a specific date, which shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date), and all
representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in this Agreement that are not so qualified shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date, as if made on such date with
only such exceptions as are permitted by this Agreement or which, individually or in the aggregate, would not prevent, materially interfere or delay the Purchaser from performing its obligations under
this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (except for representations and warranties that relate to a specific date, which shall be true and correct in all
respects as of such date). 

        Section 11.2    Performance of Agreements.    Each and all of the agreements of the Purchaser to be performed
on or prior to the Closing pursuant to the terms hereof shall have been duly performed in all material respects, and the Purchaser shall have delivered to the Seller a certificate, dated the Closing
Date, to such effect. 

        Section 11.3    No Injunction.    No action, suit or proceeding shall be pending before any court or other
government body or public authority wherein an unfavorable injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling or charge would (a) restrain or prohibit the completion of the transactions contemplated
hereby, or (b) cause any of the transactions contemplated hereby to be rescinded after consummation. 

        Section 11.4    Statutes.    No Law of any kind shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by
any Governmental Authority which prohibits, or has the effect of making illegal, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. 

        Section 11.5    Governmental and Other Approvals.    All material governmental and other material consents and
approvals (including, without limitation, any necessary consent of SBS) necessary to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been received. 

        Section 11.6    Assignment of Private Placement Agreement.    The Seller shall have received an assignment and
assumption agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Seller, pursuant to which all of the Seller's rights and obligations under the Private Placement Agreement shall be assigned
and delegated to, and accepted by, the Purchaser. Such assignment and assumption agreement shall be effective upon Closing, but not otherwise, and shall have been duly executed by the Purchaser and,
if necessary for its validity and enforceability, each party to the Private Placement Agreement. 

        Section 11.7    Bankruptcy Matters.    All necessary authorizations, consents, orders and approvals of the
Bankruptcy Court necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained. The Section 363 Order shall have been entered by the Bankruptcy
Court and such order shall not have been stayed, modified, reversed or amended in any manner materially adverse to the Seller; and the Seller shall have received from the Bankruptcy Court 

11

 

all
other orders, approvals and consents required to transfer the Purchased Shares and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Plan shall have been confirmed by the
Bankruptcy Court on substantially the terms set forth in the Second Amended Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization Jointly Proposed by Seller and New UPC, Inc., dated January 7, 2003 and
filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court on January 9, 2003. 

        Section 11.8    Administrator.    All authorizations, approvals and consents of the Administrator necessary for
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained. 

 
 

ARTICLE XII
  
    TERMINATION    
    

        Section 12.1    No Survival of Representations and Warranties.    The representations and warranties of the
Parties will not survive beyond the Closing and none of the Parties will have any liability therefor after the Closing; provided that the representations and warranties contained in Section 7.3
shall survive the Effective Date. 

        Section 12.2    Events of Termination.    This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated
hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing: 

        (a)   by
mutual consent of the Parties; 

        (b)   by
any Party, if the Closing Date shall not have occurred on or before the Business Day immediately prior to the Effective Date; 

        (c)   by
the Seller if there has been a material breach of any covenant or a material breach of any representation or warranty of the Purchaser;  provided that any such breach of a covenant or representation or
warranty, as the case may be, has not been cured within ten (10) Business Days
following receipt by the Purchaser of written notice of such breach; 

        (d)   by
the Purchaser, if there has been a material breach of any covenant or a material breach of any representation or warranty of the Seller;  provided that any such breach of a covenant or representation or
warranty, as the case may be, has not been cured within ten (10) Business Days
following receipt by the Seller of written notice of such breach; 

        (e)   by
any Party, if there shall be any Law of any Governmental Authority that makes consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby illegal or otherwise prohibited or
if any judgment, injunction, order or decree of any competent authority prohibiting such transactions is entered and such judgment, injunction, order or decree shall have become final and
non-appealable; 

        (f)    by
the Seller at any time after the date hereof if, for any consecutive five trading day period, the closing sales price per share of the common shares of SBS as
reported on Euronext Amsterdam N.V. exceeds €19.17 (as adjusted to reflect any reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend or distribution, subdivision,
recapitalization or other similar transaction); or 

        (g)   by
any Party, if a Competing Transaction is approved by the Bankruptcy Court, unless the Purchaser has been selected as the Back-up Bidder; or 

        (h)   by
the Seller if the Purchaser fails to comply with its obligations under Section 3.2 within five (5) Business Days following receipt of the
Section 363 Order. 

        Section 12.3    Effect of Termination.    In the event that this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to
Section 12.2, all further obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall terminate without further liability or obligation of any Party to any other Party hereunder except for those
provisions that expressly survive the termination of this Agreement; provided that no Party shall be 

12

 

released
from liability hereunder if this Agreement is terminated and the transactions abandoned by reason of (i) failure of such Party to have performed its obligations hereunder or
(ii) any misrepresentation made by such Party of any matter set forth herein. This Section 12.3 shall survive any termination of this Agreement. 

 
 

ARTICLE XIII
  
    MISCELLANEOUS    
    

        Section 13.1    Expenses; Fees.    The Parties shall pay all of their own expenses relating to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of their respective counsel, financial advisors and accountants. 

        Section 13.2    Transfer Taxes.    In the event transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp or other similar Taxes
(other than those Taxes exempted pursuant to said Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code) are assessed at Closing or at any time thereafter on the transfer of any Purchased Shares, such Taxes
incurred as a
result of the transactions contemplated hereby will be paid by the Purchaser. The Purchaser and the Seller will cooperate in providing each other with any appropriate resale exemption certifications
and other similar documentation in order to minimize the amount of such Taxes. 

        Section 13.3    1999 Agreement Waivers.    The Seller hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights under the
1999 Agreement which would otherwise arise as a result of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the parties hereto and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
to the extent necessary to allow the Purchaser to purchase, and exercise all rights of ownership with respect to, the Purchased Shares and to exercise any right or perform any obligation the Purchaser
may have under this Agreement or the Private Placement Agreement. 

        Section 13.4    APPLICABLE LAW.    THIS AGREEMENT IS TO BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL
BANKRUPTCY LAW, TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE, AND WHERE STATE LAW IS IMPLICATED, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO CHOICE OF LAW PRINCIPLES, INCLUDING ALL MATTERS OF
CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND PERFORMANCE. 

        Section 13.5    JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.    (a)    THE BANKRUPTCY COURT WILL HAVE
JURISDICTION OVER ANY AND ALL DISPUTES BETWEEN OR AMONG THE PARTIES, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY AGREEMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREBY;  PROVIDED THAT IF THE
BANKRUPTCY COURT IS UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO HEAR ANY SUCH DISPUTE, THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LOCATED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL HAVE SOLE JURISDICTION OVER ANY AND ALL DISPUTES BETWEEN OR AMONG THE PARTIES, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY AGREEMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. 

        (b)   EACH
OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. 

        Section 13.6    Captions; Headings; Table of Contents.    The Article and Section captions and the headings and
table of contents set forth herein are for reference purposes only, and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. 

        Section 13.7    Notices.    All notices, requests, demands, waivers and other communications required or
permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been 

13

 

duly
given if delivered in person or mailed, certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, or sent by telegram or telecopier and a confirmation of transmission is obtained, as follows: 

	 
	 
	 
	 	 

	 	(a)	if to the Seller, to it at:
	

 	

 	

United Pan-Europe Communications N.V.

Boeing Avenue 53

1119 PE Schiphol-Rijk

The Netherlands
	 	 	Attention:	 	Ton Tuijten, Esq.
	 	 	Telephone:	 	+31-20-778-9872
	 	 	Facsimile:	 	+31-20-778-9841
	

 	

 	

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
	

 	

 	

White & Case LLP

1155 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036
	 	 	Attention:	 	William F. Wynne, Jr., Esq.
	 	 	Tel:	 	+1-212-819-8316
	 	 	Fax:	 	+1-212-354-8113
	

 	

(b)	

if to the Purchaser, to it at:
	

 	

 	

United CMH Holdings, Inc.

c/o UnitedGlobalCom, Inc.

4643 South Ulster Street

13th Floor

Denver, Colorado 80237
	 	 	Attention:	 	Ellen Spangler
	 	 	Telephone:	 	+1-303-770-4001
	 	 	Facsimile:	 	+1-303-770-4207
	

 	

 	

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
	

 	

 	

Holme Roberts & Owen LLP

1700 Lincoln, Suite 1700

Denver, Colorado 80203
	 	 	Attention:	 	W. Dean Salter, Esq.
	 	 	Telephone:	 	+1-303-861-7000
	 	 	Facsimile:	 	+1-303-866-0800
	

 	

 	

with a further copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
	

 	

 	

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

300 South Grand Avenue, Suite 3400

Los Angeles, California 90071
	 	 	Attention:	 	Nick P. Saggese, Esq.
	 	 	Telephone:	 	+1-213-687-5000
	 	 	Facsimile:	 	+1-213-687-5600

or
to such other Person or address as any Party shall specify by notice in writing to each of the other Parties. All such notices, requests, demands, waivers and communications shall be deemed to have
been received on the date of delivery unless if mailed, in which case on the third Business Day after the mailing thereof except for a notice of a change of address, which shall be effective only upon
receipt thereof. 

14

 

        Section 13.8    Assignment; Parties in Interest.    This Agreement may not be transferred, assigned, pledged or
hypothecated by any Party, other than by operation of law; provided that the Purchaser may transfer or assign, in whole or from time to time in part, to
one or more of its Affiliates, the right to purchase all or a portion of the Purchased Shares, but no such transfer or assignment will relieve the Purchaser of its obligations hereunder. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. 

        Section 13.9    Counterparts; Effectiveness.    This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more
counterparts, in original form or by facsimile, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same document. This Agreement shall become effective
upon the execution and delivery hereof by the Parties. 

        Section 13.10    Entire Agreement.    This Agreement, including the Exhibits and other documents referred to
herein which form a part hereof contains the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein and therein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements
and understandings between the Parties with respect to such subject matter. 

        Section 13.11    Third Party Beneficiaries.    Each Party intends that this Agreement shall not benefit or
create any right or cause of action in or on behalf of any Person other than the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. 

        Section 13.2    Severability; Enforcement.    The invalidity of any portion hereof shall not affect the
validity, force or effect of the remaining portions hereof. If it is ever held that any restriction hereunder is too broad to permit enforcement of such restriction to its fullest extent, each Party
agrees that a court of competent jurisdiction may enforce such restriction to the maximum extent permitted by law, and each
Party hereby consents and agrees that such scope may be judicially modified accordingly in any proceeding brought to enforce such restriction. 

        Section 13.13    Amendments; Waiver.    No amendment, supplement or modification of this Agreement shall be
valid unless the amendment, supplement or modification is in writing signed by all Parties. No waiver by any Party of any provision of this Agreement or any default, misrepresentation or breach of
warranty or covenant under this Agreement shall be valid unless the waiver is in writing and signed by the Party making such waiver nor shall such waiver be held to be a waiver of any other or
subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach. The failure of any Party to enforce at any time any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of any such
provision, nor in any way to affect the validity of this Agreement or any part hereof or the right of such Party thereafter to enforce each and every such provision. 

        Section 13.14    No Strict Construction.    The Parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and
drafting of this Agreement. In the event any ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by all Parties hereto, and no presumption
or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. 

*        *        *

15

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above. 

	 	 	UNITED PAN-EUROPE COMMUNICATIONS N.V.
	

 	
 	
By:	

/s/  CHARLES H.R. BRACKEN      
 Charles H.R. Bracken
 Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Board of
Management
	 	 	 	 
	

 	
 	

By:	

/s/  ANTON A.M. TUIJTEN      
 Anton A.M. Tuijten
 General Counsel and Member of the Board of
Management
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	ONLY FOR APPROVAL
	

 	
 	
By:	

/s/  A. A. M. DETERINK      
 A. A. M. Deterink
 Administrator
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	UNITED CMH HOLDINGS, INC.
	

 	
 	
By:	

/s/  MICHAEL T. FRIES      
 Michael T. Fries
 President

 
 

ANNEXURE B
  
    PRIVATE PLACEMENT AGREEMENT    
    

QuickLinks

Exhibit 4.55

CONTENTS

ANNEXURE A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

WITNESSETH

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS

ARTICLE II PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE PURCHASED SHARES

ARTICLE III PURCHASE PRICE

ARTICLE IV CLOSING

ARTICLE V BANKRUPTCY COURT APPROVAL

ARTICLE VI APPROVAL OF THE ADMINISTRATOR

ARTICLE VII REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER

ARTICLE VIII REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASER

ARTICLE IX ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

ARTICLE X CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PURCHASER

ARTICLE XI CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLER

ARTICLE XII TERMINATION

ARTICLE XIII MISCELLANEOUS

ANNEXURE B PRIVATE PLACEMENT AGREEMENTQuickLinks
 -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

 
 

Exhibit 4.56    
    

	C L I F F O R D	 	LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP
	 	 	 
	C H A N C E	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	[CONFORMED COPY]
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	
	 	 

 UPC INVESTMENTS I B.V.  

 UPC INTERMEDIATES B.V.  

 AND  

 SBS BROADCASTING S.A.  

 SHARE TRANSFER AGREEMENT  

   THIS AGREEMENT is made on 8 April 2003 

BETWEEN:

	(1)
	UPC INVESTMENTS I B.V., a private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte
aansprakelijkheid) incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands, having its seat (statutaire zetel) in Amsterdam, The
Netherlands and its registered office at Boeingavenue 53, 1119 PE Schiphol-Rijk, The Netherlands, and being registered with the Commercial Register in Amsterdam, The Netherlands under
number 34139185 (the "Seller");

	(2)
	UPC INTERMEDIATES B.V., a private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte
aansprakelijkheid) incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands, having its seat (statutaire zetel) in Amsterdam, The
Netherlands and its registered office at Boeingavenue 53, 1119 PE Schiphol-Rijk, The Netherlands, and being registered with the Commercial Register in Amsterdam, The Netherlands under
number 17078084 (the "Buyer"); and

	(3)
	SBS BROADCASTING S.A., a private limited liability company in the form of a  société anonyme
incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg, having its registered office at 8-10, rue Mathias
Hardt, L-1717 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and being registered with the Luxembourg Trade under number B 31 996 (the "Company"). 

WHEREAS  

	(A)
	on
30 September 2002, a restructuring agreement (the "Restructuring Agreement") was entered into by and between United
Pan-Europe Communications N.V. ("UPC"), New UPC Inc., UnitedGlobalCom, Inc., UGC Holdings, Inc.,
UnitedEurope, Inc., United UPC Bonds, LLC and the Noteholders as set forth on Annex A to the Restructuring Agreement, to effectuate a restructuring of the capital structure of UPC by way of
(i) the filing of a voluntary Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code and (ii) the filing for a voluntary provisonal moratorium petition under the Dutch Bankruptcy Code;

	(B)
	on
that same date, UPC Distribution Holding BV ("Distribution Holding") received a bank waiver (the "Bank
Waiver") with expiry date 31 March 2003 from TD Bank Europe Limited as facility agent ("TD") for certain banks and
financial institutions (the "Banks") under a facility agreement (the "Facility Agreement"), to enable
UPC, the parent company of Distribution Holding, to complete the restructuring of its capital structure as contemplated by the Restructuring Agreement;

	(C)
	a
purchase and sale agreement regarding six million (6,000,000) shares with a par value of 2 Euros (EUR 2) each, including any and all rights attached thereto (the
"Shares") in the capital of the Company dated as of 5 March 2003 was entered into by and between United CMH Holdings, Inc.
("United CMH") and UPC (the "Purchase and Sale Agreement"), pursuant to which the Shares are to be
transferred by UPC to the designee of United CMH (the "Transaction") upon fulfilment or waiver of all conditions precedent to the Purchase and Sale
Agreement and two days prior to the Effective Date (as defined in the Restructuring Agreement);

	(D)
	the
parties to the Restructuring Agreement envisaged the Effective Date to occur on or before 31 March 2003; however, as a result of an appeal filed by a creditor of UPC
against ratification of the Akkoord (as defined in the Restructuring Agreement), the Effective Date has been delayed until after 31 March 2003;

	(E)
	in
connection with such delay, on 4 April 2003 Distribution Holding has received and agreed to the terms and conditions of an extension of the Bank Waiver (the
"Second Waiver"), which inter alia includes the condition that Distribution Holding receives the amounts set out in the Second Waiver on or before 9
April 2003; 

1

 
	(F)
	the
cash proceeds arising from the Transaction will be made available immediately to Distribution Holding to enable the conditions under the Second Waiver to be satisfied;

	(G)
	the
Second Waiver allows UPC and its group of companies (of which Seller and Buyer form part) to continue the restructuring of its capital structure as contemplated under the
Restructuring Agreement and will allow the UPC Group to continue to trade and operate in the normal course of business during the pendency of the appeal (and any potential subsequent appeals) which if
the Second Waiver had not been received would have led to a potential event of default under the negative covenants of the Facility Agreement and the potential termination of the Restructuring
Agreements; and

	(H)
	each
of parties to this Agreement find it in their respective best interests to enter into this Agreement to effectuate the Transaction; 

THEREFORE, THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE as follows: 

	1.
	SALE AND PURCHASE

	1.1
	The
Seller hereby sells six million (6,000,000) shares with a par value of two Euros (EUR 2) each in the capital of the Company, including any and all rights attached thereto
(the "Shares"), representing an ownership stake in the Company in excess of 20%, and the Buyer hereby buys the Shares.

	1.2
	The
Seller hereby transfers the Shares to the Buyer and the Buyer hereby accepts the Shares from the Seller.

	2.
	PURCHASE PRICE

The
purchase price for the Shares is an amount of one hundred million Euros (EUR 100,000,000) and shall be satisfied by the Buyer by way of set-off against an intercompany debt owing by
the Buyer to the Seller in the amount of the purchase price. The Seller hereby gives full discharge for payment of the purchase price. 

	3.
	TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

The
articles of association of the Company provide that no person, except for shareholders as of 25 February 1993, may, without obtaining the approval of the board of directors of the Company,
own more than 20% of the share capital of the Company. 

Pursuant
to section 5.2(a) of a private placement agreement entered into by and between the Company, UPC and UnitedGlobalCom, Inc. (now known as UGC Holdings, Inc.) dated as of 27
January 2000, stating that the Shares may be transferred to and held by any member of the United Group (as defined in such agreement) for so long as they remain members of the United Group, and
therefore, by telephonic meeting held on 13 March 2003 (a copy of the minutes of such meeting is attached to this Agreement as Annex 1), the
board of directors of the Company has approved the transfer of the Shares in accordance with this Agreement. 

	4.
	ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The
Company hereby acknowledges that it has been duly informed of the transfer of the Shares pursuant to article 1 (3) of the law dated 4 December 1992 on the information to be
published at the acquisition or the transfer of an important participation in a listed company, and will take care of the immediate registration of this transfer in its register of shareholders. 

2

 
	5.
	FURTHER ASSURANCE

Each
party shall perform and execute, or arrange for the performance and execution of, each necessary act and document and to further take all necessary action to implement and to carry out its
obligations under this Agreement and to effect the transfer of the Shares contemplated therein. 

	6.
	GENERAL

	6.1
	This
Agreement (together with the documents referred to herein) constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.

	6.2
	A
variation of this Agreement is valid only if it is in writing and signed by or on behalf of each party.

	6.3
	This
Agreement is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with Luxembourg law and each party irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of
Luxembourg-City.

	6.4
	This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which when executed and delivered is an original, but all the counterparts together constitute the same document. 

[Signatures on following page]

3

 

IN WITNESS THEREOF this agreement has been duly executed by the parties in three (3) originals. 

	

For and on behalf of
 UPC INVESTMENTS I B.V.	
 	

 	

 
	

/s/  W. PLACKE      
 Name:

Title:

Date:	
 	

 	

 
	

For and on behalf of
 UPC INTERMEDIATES B.V.	
 	

 	

 
	

/s/  W. PLACKE      
 Name:

Title:

Date:	
 	

 	

 
	

For and on behalf of
 SBS BROADCASTING S.A.	
 	

 	

 
	

/s/  E.T. MOE      
 Name:

Title:

Date:	
 	

 	

 

4

  

 
 

Annex 1    
    

 
 

SBS Broadcasting S.A.
  
    Société Anonyme
  
    8-10, rue Mathias Hardt
  L-1717 Luxembourg
  
    R.C.S. Luxembourg B 31 996
  
    Minutes of the telephonic meeting of the
Board of Directors
  Held on 13 March 2003, 16:30 hours (CET)  
  

        A meeting of the Board of Directors of SBS Broadcasting S.A. ("the Company") was held by telephonic conference call at 16:30 hours, Central
European Time, on 13 March 2003, pursuant to notice duly given to all Directors. In attendance were: 

	Participants:	 	Harry Evans Sloan, Chairman of the Board
	 	 	Michael Finkelstein, Vice Chairman of the Board
	 	 	Anthony Ghee, Director
	 	 	Benjamin Lorenz, Director
	 	 	Edward McKinley, Director
	 	 	Shane O'Neill, Director
	 	 	Markus Tellenbach, Director
	 	 	Erik Moe, Company Secretary
	 	 	Juergen von Schwerin, Chief Financial Officer

The
Chairman declares: 

        That
seven (7) members of the Board of Directors are present or represented to the meeting. 

        That
the present meeting is duly constituted and can therefore validly deliberate on the following agenda item: to consider whether to approve the transfer of 6,000,000 common shares
with a par value of EUR 2 each in the capital of the Company (the "Shares"), currently held by UPC Investments I B.V. ("UPC Investments") a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Pan-Europe
Communications N.V. ("UPC") to a wholly-owned subsidiary of UnitedGlobalCommunications, Inc. ("UGC")(the subsidiary referred to as the "UGC Subsidiary"). 

        The
proposed purchase price is EUR 100,000,000. The Shares amount to approximately 21% of the issued share capital of the Company. Article 6 of the Company's Statutes provides in
its relevant part that no person can hold more than 20% of the Company's share capital or voting power at any time (the "Share Ownership Limit") without the approval of the Board. Prior approval had
been given only to UPC holding more than the Share Ownership Limit, but not to UGC Holdings, Inc. ("UGC Holdings") or any of its affiliates. The Chairman noted that as UPC was in Chapter 11
bankruptcy proceedings, the proposed transfer was governed by U.S. bankruptcy law. In particular, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved on 5 March 2003 the sale of the Shares from UPC to the UGC
Subsidiary pursuant to the relevant provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. 

        Finally,
the Chairman noted that Mr. Schneider had excused himself from attendance at this meeting and that Mr. O'Neill would abstain from voting on the resolutions given
their relationship with UPC and UGC. 

5

 

        The
Chairman further reminded the Board that the following papers had been circulated: 

	(a)
	A
memorandum from Tony Ghee summarising the key aspects of the transaction;

	(b)
	A
copy of the draft Novation Agreement (the "Novation Agreement") under which the Company would agree to the transfer of all of UPC's existing rights and obligations in relation to
the Company which have been granted under a private placement agreement between UPC, UGC Holdings and the Company dated 27 January 2000 (the "Private Placement Agreement"), to the UGC
Subsidiary;

	(c)
	A
copy of the draft sale and purchase agreement, in relation to the Shares, between the UGC Subsidiary and UPC together with an accompanying debtor motion filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy
Court by UPC on 12 February 2003;

	(d)
	A
copy of an 8-K filing made by UPC with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission which shows that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court has authorised the transfer of the Shares
from UPC to the UGC Subsidiary;

	(e)
	A
copy of the regulatory report prepared by UGC's European Counsel dealing with any necessary regulatory filings in each of the Company's key operating territories arising out of the
proposed transaction; and

	(f)
	A
copy of Article 6 of the Statutes of the Company. 

        The
Chairman then invited the views of the Board on the proposed transaction. A discussion then ensued on the merits amongst the directors in attendance. 

        Following
that discussion (with Mr. O'Neill abstaining) IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that: 

	(I)
	Approval
be and is hereby given to the transfer of the Shares from UPC Investments to UPC Intermediates B.V., and from UPC Intermediates B.V. to UPC, and from UPC to the UGC
Subsidiary under Article 6 of the Statutes provided that this approval is conditional at all times upon the UGC Subsidiary remaining an entity incorporated within the European Union; and

	(II)
	The
Novation Agreement be and is hereby approved, including the transfer to the UGC Subsidiary of UPC's rights and obligations under the Private Placement Agreement; and

	(III)
	Each
of Harry Sloan, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, and/or Erik T. Moe, Senior Vice President Business & Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Company Secretary
(each an "Authorized Signatory" and together the "Authorized Signatories") are hereby authorized, with full power of substitution and power to appoint in their sole discretion any officer, director or
the general counsel of the Company as such Authorized Signatory's true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to do any and all things in such Authorized Signatory's name and
behalf in his capacity as an Authorized Signatory, acting alone and in the name of the Company, to sign, execute, deliver, amend or modify, the Novation Agreement and generally to sign, execute,
extend, modify, terminate, amend, distribute, deliver and/or endorse any necessary and appropriate documentation and any ancillary documents in relation thereto, and to take any and all such further
actions as they may deem necessary or expedient in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, executing any other documents, letters, certificates, instruments and preparing, executing and
filing all necessary or useful regulatory filings (including, but not limited to, any documents required to be filed under U.S. or other securities laws, in connection with the Company's listing on
the NASDAQ National Market and the Amsterdam Stock Exchange and with competition or antitrust or broadcasting regulatory authorities) as any Authorized Signatory shall in its absolute discretion think
fit. 

6

 

The
signatures of any Authorized Signatory on any of such documents, letters, certificates, instruments or filings shall be deemed to be conclusive evidence that such Authorized Signatory has approved
such document, letter, certificate, instrument or filing; and 

	(IV)
	The
members of the Board of Directors hereby confirm that the notice of this meeting was adequate and timely and to the extent permitted waive any applicable notice requirements
under Luxembourg law; and

	(V)
	The
Secretary be authorised to ensure that once the transfers of the Shares are effected pursuant to inter alia the sale and purchase
agreement between UPC and the UGC Subsidiary referred to above and notified to the Company, that subject to all necessary legal and regulatory formalities being completed, the UGC Subsidiary be duly
registered as the holder of the Shares in the register of shareholders of the Company and formal evidence of such registration be provided to UGC. 

Signed
on 3 April 2003, 

	

/s/  ERIK T. MOE      
 Erik T. Moe

Company Secretary	
 	

 	

 

7

QuickLinks

Exhibit 4.56

Annex 1

SBS Broadcasting S.A. Société Anonyme 8-10, rue Mathias Hardt L-1717 Luxembourg R.C.S. Luxembourg B 31 996 Minutes of the telephonic meeting of the Board of Directors Held on 13 March 2003, 16:30
hours (CET)

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