SHANGHAI, Dec. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Acorn International, Inc. (NYSE: ATV) ("Acorn" or the "Company"), a media and branding company in China engaged in developing, promoting and selling products through extensive direct sales and distribution sales platforms, today announced that it had, through its wholly-owned subsidiary China DRTV, Inc., agreed to purchase via a negotiated transaction a total of 7,859,550 ordinary shares (equivalent to 2,619,850 American Depositary Shares ("ADSs")) in the form of ordinary shares and ADSs from a limited number of former company employees and their affiliates, representing the entire shareholdings in the Company held by such individuals. The purchase price of $1.1 per ordinary share (equivalent to $3.3 per ADS) was established based on, among other factors, a discount of 15.2 % to the Company's cash assets value per share as of September 30, 2012.

The Company entered into the transaction to remove significant selling shareholder overhang with an aim to prevent its trading price from dramatic fluctuation. The transaction was reviewed and approved by Acorn's board of directors (none of whom has an interest in the transaction). 

About Acorn International, Inc.

Acorn is a media and branding company in China, operating one of China's largest TV direct sales businesses in terms of revenues and TV airtime, other direct sales platforms and a nationwide distribution network. Acorn's TV direct sales platform consists of airtime purchased from both national and local channels. Acorn's other direct sales platforms include third-party bank channels, outbound calls, catalogs and Internet. Acorn has built a proven track record of developing, promoting and selling proprietary-branded products, as well as products from established third parties. For more information, please visit http://ir.chinadrtv.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein are "forward-looking statements." The expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements involve significant assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Acorn International, Inc.