Vivendi teams with EchoStar for Brazilian pay TV plan

Vivendi’s Brazilian telecom subsidiary GVT has formed a partnership with EchoStar Technologies to create a pay TV joint venture in Brazil.

The pair plan to create an entity that could be a major player in the competitive Brazilian pay TV market ahead of the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games two years later.

The joint venture will be controlled by GVT and will make use of the latter’s IP network as well as EchoStar’s expertise in satellite technology and video, and EchoStar’s licences in the country, to create a hybrid platform that will be delivered over the internet and via satellite.

The agreement is subject to the pair reaching a definitive agreement and on regulatory authorisation.