DENVER and MECHELEN, Belgium, Oct. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

• Longstanding CEO, John Porter, to step down after more than 30 years with Liberty Global and 13 years leading Telenet
• Rocío Lorenzo to become CEO on November 2^nd, 2026

Liberty Global (NASDAQ: LBTYA, LBTYB and LBTYK) today announced leadership changes at its newly-formed Ziggo Group operating subsidiary in the Benelux region. After more than 30 years with Liberty, including 13 years in Belgium, John Porter has decided to step down from the CEO role at Telenet.

John joined Liberty Global in 1994 to help build its Australian start-up business, AUSTAR, where he ultimately became CEO and led the company from 1999 to 2012. AUSTAR was sold to Foxtel in 2012 after which John became CEO of Telenet. Over the past 13 years, he and his team have transformed Telenet from a traditional Flemish cable operator into one of Belgium’s leading data-driven, digital-first telecoms, media and entertainment businesses. Strategic milestones included the acquisition of BASE, the creation of Play Media and the launch of the network infrastructure company Wyre. He was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame in 2022 in recognition of his contributions to the industry, and will remain as an advisor to Telenet through year-end and Chairman of Wyre.

Incoming Telenet CEO Rocío Lorenzo is currently Senior Vice President of Liberty Latin America and Executive President and General Manager of Cable and Wireless Panama. She will join Telenet on November 2^nd 2026 and report directly to Stephen van Rooyen, CEO of Ziggo Group.

Rocío brings two decades of leadership experience across the telecommunications, technology and consumer sectors. She has served as Senior Vice President of Liberty Latin America (LLA) since 2021 and as Executive President and General Manager of Cable & Wireless Panama since January 2024. LLA operates leading communications businesses in 20 markets across Latin America and the Caribbean with annualized revenue of $4.4bn. Under Rocío’s leadership Cable & Wireless Panama has grown its customer base by double digits and significantly increased operating free cash flow, while investing in 5G, fiber, digital and AI capabilities.

Prior to joining Liberty, Rocío led Boston Consulting Group’s Telecommunications Practice, where she was Managing Director and Senior Partner. During that time she worked alongside John Porter on several of Telenet’s most strategic initiatives, including the acquisition of the mobile network BASE in 2016.

Mike Fries, Chairman and CEO of Liberty Global, said: “John has been a tremendous leader at Liberty Global and a great friend for more than three decades. At both AUSTAR and Telenet he brought that rare combination of entrepreneurial drive and operational excellence. He leaves Telenet a strong digital-first business that is exceptionally well positioned for its future as part of Ziggo Group. We all wish John the best in whatever he does next, and I take great comfort in knowing that he will always remain a champion of Liberty Global and trusted friend and advisor.

“I am also delighted to welcome Rocío as the incoming CEO of Telenet. I have known and worked with Rocío for over a decade and as Chairman of Liberty Latin America I’ve watched her grow into a fantastic leader and CEO in the region. Rocío brings deep telecoms expertise, hands-on leadership and a track record of turning strategy into results. She is ideally placed to lead Telenet into its next chapter.”

John Porter said: “It has been a privilege to lead Telenet and work alongside talented colleagues who have helped transform the company while preserving the entrepreneurial spirit that has always defined us.

“As Telenet begins a new chapter as part of Ziggo Group, I feel the time is right to spend more time with my family in Australia. I am especially pleased to be handing over to Rocío Lorenzo. Having worked closely with her during some of Telenet’s most important transformation programmes, I am confident she has the leadership, insight and experience to guide the business through its next phase of growth.”

Rocío Lorenzo said: “I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to lead Telenet and work alongside such a talented team within the broader Liberty footprint. This is a company at the leading edge of innovation, with a tremendous opportunity to build on the strong foundation already in place and bring faster, better, and more reliable connectivity to even more people. I can’t wait to get started, spend time with our teams and customers, and work together to deliver great experiences and create value for all our stakeholders.”

Stephen van Rooyen said: “With over 20 years of international experience as a recognized telecom expert who also knows the local market in Belgium, I’m confident Rocío Lorenzo will lead Telenet into its next chapter as we build the Benelux connectivity champion.”

Ziggo Group is progressing towards a planned listing on Euronext Amsterdam in 2027. John Porter will remain with Telenet until the end of 2026, working closely with Rocío to support a smooth leadership transition, and will remain Chairman of Wyre.

ABOUT LIBERTY GLOBAL

Liberty Global Ltd. (Nasdaq: LBTYA, LBTYB, LBTYK) delivers long-term shareholder value through the strategic management of two complementary platforms: Liberty Telecom and Liberty Growth.

Liberty Telecom is a world leader in converged broadband, video and mobile communications, providing approximately 80 million fixed and mobile connections across Europe through advanced fiber and 5G networks that empower customers and strengthen national economies. The business generates aggregate revenue of $22  billion, including approximately $13 billion from the nonconsolidated VMO2 joint venture and $9 billion* from consolidated operations.

Liberty Growth invests in scalable businesses across the technology, media, sports and infrastructure sectors, with a portfolio of roughly 70 companies and funds valued at $3.4 billion.**

Together, these platforms reflect Liberty Global’s focus on operating, enabling and investing in businesses with strong strategic fit and the potential to deliver sustainable long‑term returns.

*Includes 100% of the revenue of the VodafoneZiggo JV. Upon acquisition of Vodafone's 50% interest, Liberty Global began consolidating VodafoneZiggo in July 2026.
**As independently valued as of December 31, 2025.

For more information, please visit www.libertyglobal.com 

ABOUT ZIGGO GROUP

Ziggo Group is a newly established Benelux champion in connectivity, entertainment and digital services, bringing together Liberty Global's interests in VodafoneZiggo and Telenet.

With 13 million customers and €6.6 billion in revenue, Ziggo Group combines strong national businesses in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg with greater scale at Group level.

The Group develops the shared strengths in technology, innovation and capital that multiply what each business can achieve on its own. This enables VodafoneZiggo and Telenet to invest more, move faster and grow in their own markets, where they remain fully responsible for their customers, people, culture and performance.

Ziggo Group is preparing for an intended listing on Euronext Amsterdam in mid-2027. Find out more at ziggogroup.com.

About Telenet
As a provider of entertainment and telecommunications services in Belgium and Luxembourg, Telenet aims to offer its customers the best possible experience in the digital world. Through its Telenet, BASE and TADAAM brands, the company provides digital television, internet, and fixed and mobile telephony services to residential customers in Belgium. In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Telenet provides these services under the Eltrona brand. 

Telenet Business serves the business market in Belgium and Luxembourg with connectivity, hosting and security solutions. With more than 3,000 employees, Telenet has one clear goal: to make living and working easier and more enjoyable. 

Telenet is an integral part of Ziggo Group, which brings together Telenet and VodafoneZiggo. Telenet continues to operate under its own brands and remains responsible for its customers, employees, strategy and performance in its markets. Ziggo Group is 90% owned by Liberty Global and 10% owned by Vodafone Group. 

More information about Telenet and its products is available on the Telenet website. The Telenet newsroom can be found on the press website. 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT
This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the combination of Liberty Global’s interests in VodafoneZiggo and Telenet into a new holding company to be named Ziggo Group, the potential listing of the Ziggo Group shares for trading (together, the “Transaction”), the performance of Ziggo Group following the Transaction and other information and statements that are not historical fact. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. Such risks and uncertainties include the risk that we do not receive shareholder approval for certain aspects of the Transaction and/or related matters, our ability to satisfy the other conditions to the Transaction on the expected timeframe or at all, the approval of the shares of Ziggo Group for listing on the relevant stock exchange and the development of a trading market for them, the Liberty Global Board of Directors’ discretion to decide not to complete the Transaction for any reason, our ability to realize the expected benefits from the Transaction, unanticipated difficulties or costs in connection with the Transaction, Ziggo Group’s ability to successfully operate as an independent public company and maintain its relationships with material counterparties after the Transaction and other factors detailed from time to time in Liberty Global’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Liberty Global’s other filings with the SEC, as it may be updated or supplemented from time to time by our quarterly reports and other subsequent filings.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement.

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For more information, please visit www.libertyglobal.com or contact:

Investor Relations                        
Michael Bishop +44 20 8483 6246        
Lewis Chong +44 7927 583187

Corporate Communications
Pádraig McGarrigle +44 7474 736967