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Vivendi Universal

Vivendi Universal Games Mobile to Develop for Qualcomm's BREW Platform

Authored by dmw on April 12, 2006 - 6:04am.
Los Angeles - Vivendi Universal Games Mobile said on Wednesday that it has signed an agreement to develop titles for Qualcomm's BREW platform for mobile phones. Los Angeles-based VU Games currently offers mobile game titles through 70 mobile network operators in 40 countries.
tags: Games | Deals | Mobile | Mobile Games | Tech | Vivendi Universal | BREW | Qualcomm |

Vivendi Universal to Delist From NYSE

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 18, 2006 - 4:33am.
Paris - Media conglomerate Vivendi Universal has announced plans to voluntarily delist itself from the New York Stock Exchange, a cost-saving move that would see its shares thereafter trade only in Paris. The company, whose holdings include Universal Music Group and Vivendi Universal Games, explained that less than 5% of its share trading over the past two years took place through the NYSE, while U.S. ownership of Paris-based shares has increased significantly.
tags: Vivendi Universal | NYSE | Delist |

Vivendi Universal Games Sells Off Productivity Software Franchises

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 23, 2004 - 2:05am.
Los Angeles -- Vivendi Universal Games, the video game publishing unit of the Franco-American media conglomerate, announced on Monday that it has sold its home productivity software franchises, Hallmark Card Studio and Print Artist, to Calabasas, Calif.-based Nova Development. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Los Angeles-based VU Games said the divestiture is part of its strategy of refocusing its business exclusively on games.
tags: Games | Vivendi Universal | Software | Productivity | Franchises |

Vivendi Universal Revenues Drop 4% on Poor Music Sales

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 5, 2004 - 3:15am.
Paris -- French media and entertainment conglomerate Vivendi Universal this week reported a 4% drop in first-quarter sales, a performance that slightly exceeded most analysts' expectations. The company attributed the results to the stronger-than-expected performance of its telecommunications subsidiary, which offset a poor showing by its entertainment unit. Revenues dropped from $7.55 billion in the first quarter of last year to $7.24 billion for the three months ended March 31. SFR, the company's telecommunications business and currently the No. 2 mobile operator in France, reported a 14% increase in revenues to more than $2.4 billion, largely beating analysts' expectations. The company said the relative weakness of the U.S. dollar and changes in its corporate structure impacted overall sales as well.
tags: Music | Vivendi Universal | Revenues |

Vivendi Universal Reaches Agreement With InterActiveCorp on Sale

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 22, 2004 - 3:45am.
Paris -- Paris-based Vivendi Universal said it has reached an agreement with New York-based InterActiveCorp that removes a major obstacle to the sale of its U.S. entertainment assets to NBC. In a complicated partnership arrangement, InterActiveCorp owns a 5.4% stake in Vivendi Universal Entertainment and has various control mechanisms over strategic decisions of the U.S. entertainment assets. Vivendi said on Wednesday that it will issue letters of credit to InterActiveCorp that would allow the transaction to go through. Earlier this week, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission also gave its approval to the transaction.
tags: Vivendi Universal | Deal | nterActiveCorp |

Vivendi Universal Sales for Fourth Quarter Fall by 50%

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 5, 2004 - 10:24am.
Paris -- French media conglomerate Vivendi Universal on Thursday reported that sales dropped by 50% in the fourth quarter as a strong performance in telecommunications was unable to offset a poor showing in media and entertainment. Since offloading a number of interests last year -- most notably utility unit Veolia Environnement -- the company has seen sales plummet from $20.1 billion last year to just $9.1 billion. Universal Music's sales dropped by 19% to $2.1 billion, while Universal Entertainment's sales fell by 4% to $2.1 billion as well.
tags: Vivendi Universal | Fall | Fourth Quarter |

Vivendi Universal to Acquire DreamWorks' Music Label

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 12, 2003 - 7:50am.
Paris -- French media conglomerate Vivendi Universal, which owns Universal Music Group -- currently the No. 1 record company in the world -- has agreed to buy music the record label division of DreamWorks SKG, the company owned by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen. Although financial terms for the deal have not been disclosed, the transaction is rumored to be valued at about $100 million. The news reflects a growing trend within the global music industry: Only last week, Sony Corp. and Bertelsmann announced plans to merge their record units, while EMI is reportedly in discussions to buy Warner Music Group for more than $1 billion.
tags: Vivendi Universal | DreamWorks | Music Label |

Vivendi Universal Games, Interplay Settle Dispute, Resume Distribution Pact

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 6, 2003 - 8:07am.
Irvine, Calif. -- Video game publisher Interplay Entertainment announced that it has settled a contractual dispute with Vivendi Universal Games that had caused the company to break the contract and consider legal action, and will re-commence using Vivendi as a distributor for its game titles. Interplay announced in September that it would terminate the agreement, in particular for Vivendi's "refusing to pay Interplay certain monies due following our latest release, 'Lionheart.'" The companies on Thursday said they resolved all disputes and will honor the August 2002 contract, whereby Vivendi will distribute all Interplay titles in North America and Asia-Pacific through August 2005. "We are pleased to have come to an understanding with Interplay and look forward to the upcoming launch of 'Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel,'" said Philip W. O'Neil, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Vivendi Universal Games.
tags: Games | Vivendi Universal | Dispute | Resume |

Vivendi Universal, GE Finalize Entertainment Merger

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 8, 2003 - 4:54am.
Paris -- After more than six months of protracted and oftentimes dramatic negotiations, Vivendi Universal and General Electric (GE) on Wednesday signed a merger deal that will create a media giant -- NBC Universal -- with an estimated value of $43 billion. The terms of the deal that will combine Vivendi Universal Entertainment with GE's television network NBC were largely unchanged from those posted in September, with the exception that GE will assume a slightly larger debt than previously proposed. NBC will assume $1.7 billion of debt, as opposed to the $1.6 billion announced in September. Under the deal, GE will pay Vivendi Universal Entertainment shareholders about $3.8 billion in GE shares, as well as give them a 20% stake in NBC Universal.
tags: Vivendi Universal | Entertainment | GE |

Vivendi Universal Predicts 20% Surge in Operating Profits

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 29, 2003 - 9:48am.

Paris -- French media conglomerate Vivendi Universal announced on Monday that it expects to report a 20% increase in underlying operating profits this year. Thanks largely to an ambitious restructuring program, Vivendi was able to report sharply reduced losses for the first half of 2003. Furthermore, the company said that a resumption of dividend payments in 2005 looks increasingly likely. The company has not paid dividends since it fired former CEO Jean-Marie Messier last year.
http://www.vivendiuniversal.com/vu/en/home/index.cfm
tags: Vivendi Universal | Fall | Operating Profits |

Vivendi Universal to Invite Bids for U.S. Entertainment Assets

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 29, 2003 - 9:46am.
Paris -- As part of its 16-billion-euro ($17.6 billion) asset disposal program, beleaguered French media giant Vivendi Universal has announced that it will invite bids for its U.S. assets, including Universal Studios. The company has asked U.S.-based executives to prepare detailed financial information for bidders who may be interested in Vivendi's studios, theme parks or cable channels. Potential buyers are expected to receive the "information packs" within the next 10 business days. The company is currently straddled with more than 12 billion euro ($13.2 billion) in debt.
tags: Vivendi Universal | U.S | Entertainment Assets |

Vivendi Universal Secures $3.8 Billion Financing Package

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 25, 2003 - 4:16am.
Paris -- French media conglomerate Vivendi Universal announced that it has negotiated a 3.5-billion-euro ($3.8 billion) refinancing package. The heavily indebted company took steps to extend the maturity of its existing debt and diversify its financing sources, both for the parent company and its subsidiary Vivendi Universal Entertainment. The company launched a private offering to raise 1 billion euro ($1.066 billion) via seven-year, high-yield notes and signed a commitment for a 2.5-billion-euro ($2.66 billion), three-year bank loan facility. Vivendi CEO Jean-Rene Fourtou said the aim is to give the company enough flexibility to continue selling its assets. http://finance.vivendiuniversal.com/finance/news/00001233.cfm
tags: Vivendi Universal | French | Jean-Rene Fourtou |

FT: Vivendi Universal To Sell Maroc Telecom Stake

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 21, 2003 - 4:33am.
Paris -- In an effort to sustain its liquidity, French media giant Vivendi Universal on Friday initiated proceedings to sell its 35 percent stake in Maroc Telecom of Morocco, which Vivendi purchased for more than $2 billion in 2000. According the Financial Times, Vivendi has appointed bankers from France's Credit Agricole to locate potential buyers. In related news, Vivendi on Friday also presented an initial sale notice for its U.S. entertainment assets, which include Universal Pictures, Universal Music Group and the USA and Sci Fi cable TV networks. Vivendi is carrying more than $20 billion of debt.
tags: Vivendi Universal | Telecom | FT | Maroc |

Diller Resigns as Chairman and CEO of Vivendi Universal Entertainment

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 19, 2003 - 4:48am.
New York -- Barry Diller announced on Thursday his resignation as chairman and CEO of Vivendi Universal Entertainment, the U.S. entertainment arm of the debt-laden French media conglomerate. "My executive role was never intended to be permanent," said Diller, who remains chairman and CEO of USA Interactive. "Now that Vivendi Universal has begun a formal process in reviewing options for its entertainment assets, it is appropriate to step aside from any direct management responsibility." Separately, Diller's USA Interactive announced on Wednesday that it acquired all the shares of online travel site Expedia that it did not already own for $3.3 billion.
tags: Vivendi Universal | CEO | Chairman | Resigns | Diller |

Vivendi Universal Games Acquires Game Publisher Fox Interactive

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 14, 2003 - 5:15am.
New York -- Vivendi Universal Games announced that it has acquired Fox Interactive, the video game publishing arm of Fox Filmed Entertainment. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. As part of the deal, New York-based VU Games will publish and distribute all Fox Interactive titles that do not already have other arrangements. Fox Interactive has published titles based on 20th Century Fox films and television properties including "Aliens," "Predator," "Die Hard," "Independence Day," "The Simpsons," "The X-Files" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Debt-laden Vivendi Universal is also reportedly looking to sell off part or all of its VU Games division.
tags: Games | Vivendi Universal | Fox | Interactive |