We expect that an increased use of vendor financing facilities by Virgin Media Inc. for investments related to its fiber network expansion project will raise leverage to nearly 6x in 2017. Virgin Media remains a core subsidiary of international cable television and broadband services provider Liberty Global PLC, as the group's largest revenue and EBITDA contributor. We are affirming our 'BB-' long-term corporate credit rating on Virgin Media but lowering its stand-alone credit profile to 'b+'. The stable outlook reflects that on Liberty Global. We do not expect to take a rating action on Virgin Media unless we reassess the entity's strategic importance to Liberty Global, or raise or lower our long-term rating on the parent. On Nov. 30, 2017,
