Media Giants - Vivendi Universal | Merchants Of Cool | FRONTLINE

FRONTLINE

Vivendi Universal was created in December, 2000 out of a merger agreement between Vivendi, The Seagram Company Ltd., and Canal+. The international merger combined Vivendi's telecommunications assets with Seagram's film, television and music holdings (including Universal Studios) and Canal+'s programming and broadcast capacity. Vivendi Universal's subsidiary Universal Music Group is the world's top music company, with roughly 22% of the global market share in 1999. Heading into 2003, the company is faced with huge debt and its new chairman plans to sell off $16 billion in assets. The previous chairman was forced out over questionable accounting practices and the company is being investigated by the SEC for suspicious financial statements. [Note: The following breakdown reflects interests and assets as of early 2001.]

Production/Distribution
Universal Studios
October Films (partial owner)
United International Pictures (partial owner)
Cinema International BV (partial owner)

Universal Studios New Media Group
VivendiNet
Vizzavi (European multi-access portal)

Universal Music Group:
MCA Records
Polygram
Island/Def Jam
Motown
Decca Records
Geffen/DGC Records
Universal Records
Interscope Records
Rising Tide

Production/Distribution
Universal Television Group
Multimedia Entertainment
Brillstein-Grey Entertainment (partial owner)
USA Networks Inc. (partial owner)
Canal+ (Europe)

Cegetel (a leading private French wireless operator)
Vivendi Telecom International

Books/Magazines
Havas Press (France)

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