Vivendi has “no plans” to increase NBCU stake

French media conglomerate Vivendi has reiterated that it has no plans to increase its stake in Hollywood studio NBC Universal.

Vivendi owns 20% of the US film and television producer, but there have been numerous reports recently that the French company is looking to raise this stake. Jean Bernard Levy, chief executive of Vivendi, which also owns French satellite operator Canal Plus and record label Universal Music, told investors that it had “no interest in raising its stake” in the company, which it regards as “non-core”.


Meanwhile, Canal Plus is concentrating on transferring its remaining 500,000 analogue subscribers to a digital service and planning the launch of its two new low-end packages including a limited channel bouquet for Canal Sat and a weekend pass service for Canal Plus subs.