Monday, May 27, 5:27 AM
EU telecom chief Neelie Kroes hopes to put together a package of reforms that will be approved before European Parliament elections in May next year. The plan is to foster a single market for the industry across the bloc, although Kroes is giving up on the idea of a single regulator following opposition from member states.
Comment![Consumer, Tech]
Wednesday, March 20, 1:05 PM
Vivendi (VIVHY.PK) is thinking of spinning off its SFR French mobile phone unit, four sources tell Bloomberg. One proposal involves SFR, which made up ~40% of Vivendi's 2012 sales, assuming most of the conglomerate's debt. The sources caution a split could take 3-5 years to pull off, and would likely happen following the sale of Vivendi's 53% stake in Morocco's Maroc Telecom. Vivendi closed up 4.4% in Paris on the news; SFR rival France Telecom (FTE +3.1%) spiked higher, and is seeing decent gains in the U.S.
1 Comment[Tech, On the Move]
Thursday, March 14, 6:42 PM
DirecTV (DTV) is no longer in the running to buy Vivendi's (VIVHY.PK) Brazilian phone/Internet services unit, a spokesman states in an interview. The company was reportedly bidding with a slew of P-E firms for the business, which would have complemented its Latin American satellite TV ops.
Comment![Consumer]
Friday, September 21, 2012, 6:55 AM
The European Commission approves Universal Music's $1.9B acquisition of EMI's recorded music unit from Citigroup (C) after Universal promises to sell a host of labels, including Chrysalis, Mute and the iconic Parlophone. However, Universal will be able to keep the rights to the Beatles, which are part of Parlophone's catalog. (EU statement)1 Comment[Top Stories, M&A, Breaking News, Consumer]
Friday, August 3, 2012, 4:48 AM
Vivendi looks set to abandon plans for a quick sale of its 60% stake in Activision Blizzard (ATVI) after receiving no worthwhile offers for the computer gaming company, whose $13B value is too high for potential suitors, the FT reports. The speculation follows Activision's Q2 earnings beat yesterday. Vivendi is carrying out a broad review of its businesses and could sell Brazilian broadband operator GVT.
Comment![Consumer, M&A, Tech]
Thursday, June 7, 2012, 3:49 PM
Vivendi (VIVHY.PK +2%) reportedly is considering reorganization options, including the potential sale of all or part of its 61% stake in videogame publisher Activision (ATVI -2.5%). Unclear is what Vivendi might do with any proceeds from selling the ATVI stake, who might be interested in buying it, or whether a such move would lead to an acquisition of the company in whole.
2 Comments[Tech, M&A, On the Move]
Thursday, April 26, 2012, 12:30 AM
Vivendi "vigorously" denies a Bloomberg report it's considering a reorganization that may result in the company's break-up, saying it learned "with stupefaction" of the "unfounded" claims. The rumor had sent Vivendi up 7.7% on the pink sheets before yesterday's close.
2 Comments[Consumer]
Monday, April 4, 2011, 7:29 AM
Vivendi (VIVEF.PK) agrees to acquire Vodafone's (VOD) 44% stake in SFR for €7.95B ($11.3B), a long-awaited move that gives the French conglomerate 100% ownership of the mobile operator. Vodafone will use the cash to increase a share buyback to €7.7B and reduce debt.
Comment![Tech]