Vivendi may decide on NBC Universal next month

France’s Vivendi may take a decision on whether to divest its 20% stake in NBC Universal on October 14, according to a report from news agency Bloomberg.

NBC Universal, in which General Electric (GE) holds an 80% stake, is believed to be valued at between US$21bn (€14bn) and US$23bn, including an estimated US$5.1bn in debt.

If Vivendi does decide to sell its stake in the company, GE has first right of refusal to buy. Alternatively Vivendi may sell the stake in the public markets, although this is seen as a less attractive option. Vivendi CEO Jean-Bernard Levy has already said he regards the NBC stake as “non-core”.