Universal-Vivendi Deal

[Michael Hagerty]

Looks like NBC is buying all of Universal except Universal Music Group, which Vivendi says it would like to sell later for the "right price". What do you think...is A&M better off with Vivendi looking to make UMG attractive, or would General Electric (NBC's parent company) have made a good home for our favorite label?

---Michael Hagerty

 

[Steven J. Gross]

Probably better this way. When CBS sold Columbia Records to Sony years ago, it is a much better company now for it, rather than have been sold off to the folks (Lowes Group) that the broadcast wing went to.
Sony may even be in the running on this deal!

 

[Rudy]

Related news item regarding UMG to be posted here within minutes.

HUGE announcement.

 

[jimac51]

According to Variety,the probable cutbacks and employee elimination will make the Barry Diller era of Vivendi seem like a party. GE is going to squeeze profit dollars out of this mess,throw out what doesn't fit(theme parks?) and in a few years you probably won't recognize anything from the Vivendi days. Remember,NBC may be doing alright as a television network,but they can't do anything right in cable/satellite,the future of TV and their news department is a no-show outside of Russert and Brokaw. And they will be getting Vivendi at a fire sale price without having to put a lot of cash out. Mac