Vincent Bolloré


Vivendi ‘in talks’ over beIN Sports acquisition

Vivendi chairman Vincent Bolloré and other top executives of the media group met French football leaders on Friday to reassure them that they would not be disadvantaged by a deal between Vivendi and beIN Sports France, according to sports newspaper L’Équipe. Bolloré indicated that talks with beIN Sports France were at an advanced stage, without giving […]

Vivendi ‘eyes beIN Sport acquisition’

Vivendi chairman Vincent Bolloré has set his sights on the acquisition of Canal+ rival beIN Sport France, with talks underway, according to French daily Libération, citing unnamed sources. According to the paper, Vivendi is considering two options: an exclusive distribution agreement that would give it the right to distribute beIN Sport France to the exclusion […]

New chief executive for Canal+-backed pay firm

Polish pay TV operator nc+ has named Manuel Rougeron as its new president, replacing Julien Verley, who is joining the board of Canal+ as part of the ongoing series of changes instigated at the French pay TV outfit by Vivendi chairman Vincent Bolloré (pictured). Rougeron, who was previously vice-president of programming at the operator and […]

Vivendi buys Can’t Stop, Flab Lab and Studio+

French media powerhouse Vivendi has made three prodco acquisitions in its ongoing content drive, including Can’t Stop Media, the formats creator and distributor run by former Zodiak Media executive Matthieu Porte. Vivendi has also bought French prodco Flab Lab, a talkshow specialist that is well-known in France, if not internationally. The third deal is for […]

Canal+ reorg sees Bolloré chair supervisory board

Vivendi chairman Vincent Bolloré has become chairman of the Canal+ Group supervisory board as part of a wider management restructure at the French pay TV operator that sees Bertrand Méheut (pictured) exit. NC+ CEO Julien Verley and Bolloré Média chairman Jean-Christophe Thiery also join the Canal+ board at part of the restructure, with the latter becoming […]

Bolloré plans to bring Canal+ closer to Vivendi

Vivendi chairman Vincent Bolloré is planning to make significant changes to the organisation of Canal+, according to French press reports. According to Le Figaro, citing an unnamed source close to the process, the Vivendi boss will make an announcement this week that will see the pay TV operator more closely integrated with Vivendi. According to […]

Vivendi tightens grip on Canal+

Vivendi has secured overall control of Société d’Edition de Canal Plus, the company that controls the Canal+ premium channel family in France, as a result of the tender offer it initiated in May. Vivendi now controls 93.6% of SECP, with the tender resulting in the transfer of 45.2% of the share capital of the unit […]

Vivendi fights back in shareholder spat

The fast-developing battle between Vivendi and one of its shareholders over the company’s cash policies and strategy has taken a new turn following a warning from Vivendi’s management that US activist hedge fund P. Schoenfeld Asset Management could be in breach of French law. Under a law dating from 1986, non-EU investors are barred from […]

Vivendi ‘to create new content unit’

Vivendi is creating a new content unit to be headed by Canal+ CEO Rodolphe Belmer, who will take on new responsibilities at the pay TV operator’s parent company in addition to his existing role, according to an internal email obtained by French news service BFM TV. According to the email, circulated to Vivendi staff on […]

Canal+ owner Vivendi may split business

French media and telecoms giant Vivendi is launching a study into whether to split the business in two – separating off telecoms group SFR from a new international media group. Vivendi, owner of French pay TV platform Canal+, said that the demerger “would create significant value to shareholders” as they would be able to invest […]