Vivendi#History

File:Vivendi old logo.gif

On 14 December 1853, a water company named Compagnie générale des eaux (CGE) was created by an imperial decree of Napoleon III. In 1854, CGE obtained a concession in order to supply water to the public in Lyon, serving in that capacity for over a hundred years. In 1861, it obtained a 50-year concession with the City of Paris.{{Cite web|url=https://www.veolia.com/en/group/history/1853-1900/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505230541/http://www.veolia.com/en/group/history/1853-1900/|title=History CGE-Vivendi-Veolia Environment 1853-1900|archive-date=5 May 2013}} CGE also supplied water to Nantes, Venice (from 1880), Istanbul (from 1882) and Porto (from 1883).

Following the appointment of Guy Dejouany as CEO in 1976, CGE extended its activities into other sectors with a series of takeovers. Beginning in 1980, CGE began diversifying from water into waste management, energy, transport services, and construction and property. It acquired the Compagnie générale d'entreprises automobiles (CGEA), specialized in industrial vehicles, which was later divided into two branches: Connex (later Veolia Transport) in 1999 and Onyx Environnement (later Veolia Environmental Services) in 1989.{{cite web |url=https://www.veolia.com/en/veolia-group/profile/history/1950-2000 |title=The history of Veolia : 1950 - 2000 |publisher=Veolia |access-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129081710/https://www.veolia.com/en/veolia-group/profile/history/1950-2000 |archive-date=29 January 2018 |url-status=live}} CGE then acquired the Compagnie générale de chauffe, and the Montenay group, with these companies later becoming the Energy Services division of CGE, and later renamed "Dalkia" in 1998.

In 1983, CGE helped to found Canal+, the first pay-TV channel in France, and in the 1990s began expanding into telecommunications and mass media, especially after Jean-Marie Messier succeeded Guy Dejouany on 27 June 1996, acquiring companies such as the Babelsberg Studio.{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}} In 1996, CGE created Neuf Cegetel to take advantage of the 1998 deregulation of the French telecommunications market, accelerating the move into the media sector which would culminate in the 2000 demerger into Vivendi Universal and Vivendi Environnement (Veolia).{{Cite web|url=https://www.veolia.com/en/group/history/1950-2000/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505230552/http://www.veolia.com/en/group/history/1950-2000/|title=History CGE-Vivendi-Veolia Environment 1950-2000|archive-date=5 May 2013}}{{Better source needed|date=January 2020}}

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File:Vivendi Universal Logo.svg logo from 2001 to 2006]]

In 1997, Compagnie Générale des Eaux changed its name to Vivendi (derived from the Latin "vivendus"{{clarification needed|reason=Which means what?|date=November 2024}}), and sold off its property and construction divisions the following year to what would become Vinci SA. Vivendi went on to acquire stakes in or merge with Maroc Telecom, Havas, Cendant Software, Grupo Anaya, and NetHold, a large Continental European pay-TV operator. Beginning in 1998, Vivendi launched digital channels in Italy, Spain, Poland, Scandinavia, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

In June 1999, Vivendi merged with Pathé, and the exchange ratio for the merger was fixed at three Vivendi shares for every two Pathé shares. The Wall Street Journal estimated the value of the deal at US$2.59 billion. Following the completion of the merger, Vivendi retained Pathé's interests in British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC and CanalSatellite, a French broadcasting corporation, then sold all remaining assets to Jérôme Seydoux's family-owned holding company, Fornier SA, which changed its name to Pathé.

On 9 December 2000, Vivendi acquired Groupe Canal+, the French television network and film production company.{{cite web | title=Canal Plus OKs Acquisition by Vivendi | website=Los Angeles Times | date=9 December 2000 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-dec-09-fi-63172-story.html | access-date=17 May 2024}} On 11 December 2000, Vivendi Universal was created from the merger of Groupe Canal+, Canadian company Seagram Company Ltd (owner of Universal Studios), and Vivendi.{{cite web | title=L'histoire du Groupe CANAL+ de 1983 à nos jours | website=Canal+ | date=1 January 2012 | url=https://www.canalplusgroup.com/en/pid163.htm#anch_29 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205011344/http://www.canalplusgroup.com/pid163.htm#anch_29 | archive-date=5 February 2012 | url-status=dead}}

Vivendi Universal acquired MP3.com and the leading American publisher Houghton Mifflin in 2001. To raise the funds, Vivendi Universal sold its trade and medical publishing businesses to a group led by Cinven.{{Cite news |issn=0362-4331 |last=Cowell |first=Alan |title=Vivendi Sells Trade Show And Journal Businesses |work=The New York Times |access-date=28 April 2018 |date=29 August 2001 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/29/business/vivendi-sells-trade-show-and-journal-businesses.html |archive-date=24 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624041806/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/29/business/vivendi-sells-trade-show-and-journal-businesses.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Chinwala |first=Yasmine |title=Cinven closes Vivendi business publishing deal for €1.2bn |access-date=28 April 2018 |url=https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/cinven-closes-vivendi-business-publishing-deal-for-20020418 |archive-date=20 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020150350/https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/cinven-closes-vivendi-business-publishing-deal-for-20020418 |url-status=live }}

{{main|Veolia}}

Vivendi Environnement was formed in 1999 by Vivendi to consolidate its environmental divisions, which were CGEA Transport, Onyx Environnement (now Veolia Environmental Services), Dalkia and CGE water division. As a result, CGEA Transport was renamed Connex (later Veolia Transport), and CGE's water division was renamed Vivendi Water (now Veolia Water). In July 2000, Vivendi Environnement was divested through IPOs in Paris and later New York in October 2001. Initially, Vivendi Universal retained a 70% stake in Vivendi Environnement in 2000, but by December 2002, it was reduced to 20.4%.{{cite web |url=https://www.veolia.com/en/veolia-group/profile/history/2000-2010 |title=The history of Veolia : 2000 - 2010 |publisher=Veolia |access-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129080552/https://www.veolia.com/en/veolia-group/profile/history/2000-2010 |archive-date=29 January 2018 |url-status=live}} In 2003, Vivendi Environnement was renamed to Veolia Environnement.

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Vivendi Universal disclosed a corporate loss of €23.3 billion in its 2002 annual report. It responded with financial reshuffling, trying to shore up media holdings while selling off shares in its spin-off companies. Amid intense media scrutiny, its chairman and CEO, Jean-Marie Messier (who had overseen the most dramatic phase of the company's diversification), was subsequently replaced by Jean-René Fourtou. Messier was found guilty of embezzlement in 2011, but not before he was paid over US$20 million as part of his severance package. The company reduced its stake in Vivendi Environnement to 40% and sold its stake in Vinci SA. The company then began reorganizing to stave off bankruptcy, announcing a strategy to sell non-strategic assets. Its largest single shareholder was the family of Edgar Bronfman Jr., who was head of Seagram at the time of the merger. Vivendi sold its stake in Vizzavi to Vodafone, with the exception of Vizzavi France. It also sold 20.4% of Vivendi Environnement's capital to a group of investors, and its stake in North American satellite operator EchoStar Communications Corporation. It also sold its European book publishing to Lagardère.{{Cite news| issn = 0099-9660| pages = –4| last1 = Carreyrou| first1 = John| last2 = Frank| first2 = Robert| title = Vivendi Universal Reaches Pact To Sell Part of Publishing Unit --- France's Lagardere Is Set To Buy Non-U.S. Portion; Criticism of Deal Is Likely| work = Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.| location = New York, N.Y., United States, New York, N.Y.| date = 2002-10-23| id = {{ProQuest|398881177}}}} It also sold Houghton Mifflin to Thomas H Lee, Blackstone and Bain consortium for US$1.66 billion.{{cite web |url=https://sa2.info/ARCHIVE/2002/10octB.html |title=Society of Academic Authors: Late October 2002 News |access-date=12 July 2015 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030714160845/http://sa2.info/ARCHIVE/2002/10octB.html |archive-date=14 July 2003}} Also, in 2002, Vivendi Universal sold the Belgian and Dutch activities of its subsidiary Scoot Europe to Kapitol, the parent company of online directory Infobel.{{cite news |title=Kapitol acquires Scoot's Belgian and Dutch units |date=5 December 2002 |publisher=Europemedia}}

In 2003, Vivendi Universal sold Canal+ Technologies to Thomson SA; Tele+ to News Corporation and Telecom Italia. It also sold its 26.3% interest in Xfera. Also in 2003, it sold its consumer magazines to Socpresse and its free newspapers to France Antilles.{{Cite web |title=Vivendi Completes Sale of Press Unit |work=Midland Daily News |access-date=28 April 2018 |date=4 February 2003 |url=https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Vivendi-Completes-Sale-of-Press-Unit-7086328.php |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027220218/https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Vivendi-Completes-Sale-of-Press-Unit-7086328.php |url-status=live }} On 1 December, Vivendi Universal closed a deal to sell MP3.com to CNET. Despite predictions that it would be unable to raise the cash needed, Vivendi Universal bought out one of the two minority shareholders in Cegetel, taking its holding to 60 percent, with Vodafone holding the remaining 40 percent. Management viewed the mobile communications firm as a core asset once the bulk of media assets had been sold off.{{fact|date=October 2024}}

In 2004, 80% of the Vivendi Universal subsidiary Universal Studios was sold to GE and merged with GE's subsidiary National Broadcasting Company, Inc. to form NBC Universal, with Vivendi retaining a 20% stake. At the same time, it sold a 50% stake in Canal+ and StudioCanal to the new company. Vivendi also sold its interests in Kencell (re-branded Celtel, Kenya), Monaco Telecom and Sportfive (which it held through Canal+ Group), and sold Newsworld International to the business partnership of Joel Hyatt and former Vice-President of the United States Al Gore. Vivendi also sold Babelsberg Studio.{{fact|date=October 2024}}

On 16 December 2005, it was announced that Canal Plus would merge with TPS, France's second largest pay-TV provider. Vivendi owned 85% of the combined entity.{{update_inline |date=July 2013}}

On 17 January 2006, Vivendi Universal announced it would end its American Depositary Receipt program and its listing on the New York Stock Exchange by the end of the second quarter of 2006, due to lowered trading volume on its shares and high costs.{{cite web |url=https://www.vivendi.com/corp/en/press_2006/20060803_Vivendi_Voluntarily_Delists_from_NYSE_and_Terminates_ADR_Program.php |title=Vivendi Voluntarily Delists from NYSE and Terminates ADR Program |publisher=Vivendi.com |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-date=27 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827224126/http://www.vivendi.com/corp/en/press_2006/20060803_Vivendi_Voluntarily_Delists_from_NYSE_and_Terminates_ADR_Program.php |url-status=dead }} On 20 April, Vivendi in its current form came into existence, following the sale of an 80% stake in the Vivendi Universal unit to General Electric to form NBC Universal (merging GE's NBC unit and Vivendi's Vivendi Universal unit) and the gradual recovery of the company from its disastrous over-expansion in the late 1990s and the early 2000s. The company announced that shareholders had approved the name change to "Vivendi".{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} In August, Vivendi signed a deal with Spiralfrog to distribute Vivendi's songs online in the United States and Canada.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

On 2 December 2007, Vivendi announced that it would be merging its game publishing unit with Activision in a $18.8 billion deal.{{Cite news |last=Cellan-Jones |first=Rory |date=2007-12-02 |title=Video game giants in $18bn merger |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7123582.stm |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |date=3 December 2007 |title=Vivendi's Activision bid lifts videogame sector |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-activision-vivendi-idUSN0236714920071202 |work=Reuters}} This will allow the merged company, Activision Blizzard, to rival Electronic Arts, the world's biggest video game publisher. The merger closed on 9 July 2008, for $9.8 billion. Vivendi held a 52% majority stake in the new business.{{fact|date=October 2024}}

On 8 September 2009, Vivendi announced negotiations to buy the Brazilian phone operator Global Village Telecom (GVT).{{cite news |last=Livesey |first=Ben |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aNNP9dPMePVk |title=Vivendi to Make Offer to buy GVT (Holding) at BRL42 a share |publisher=Bloomberg.com |date=8 September 2009 |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-date=22 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022145739/http://bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086 |url-status=live }} Vivendi took control of GVT at a cost of 56 reais per share, on 13 November, trumping Telefónica's bid.{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jN3E6Qz1wZ_CoDKOpigKq-glplvw |title=AFP: France's Vivendi takes control of Brazil's GVT |date=13 November 2009 |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-date=20 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520104713/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jN3E6Qz1wZ_CoDKOpigKq-glplvw |url-status=dead }} Geneva-based Crédit des Alpes was the investment bank to the transaction, originating the acquisition proposal and advising GVT's majority shareholders.{{cite web |url=https://www.newsgateny.com/vivendi-buys-gvt-brazil-credit-des-alpes/ |title=Crédit des Alpes: Vivendi buys GVT of Brazil |publisher=NewsGateNY.com |date=3 November 2009 |access-date=27 May 2022 |archive-date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527160353/https://www.newsgateny.com/vivendi-buys-gvt-brazil-credit-des-alpes/ | url-status=live }}

On 3 December 2009, GE announced it would purchase Vivendi's stake in NBC Universal, which would become a joint venture between GE and Comcast.{{cite news |first1=David |last1=Goldman |first2=Julianne |last2=Pepitone |url=https://money.cnn.com/2009/12/03/news/companies/comcast_nbc/index.htm |title=GE, Comcast announce NBC Universal joint venture deal |work=CNN Money |date=3 December 2009 |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-date=30 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330061345/http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/03/news/companies/comcast_nbc/index.htm |url-status=live }} Vivendi sold its stake in NBC Universal on 25 January 2011.

On 4 April 2011, Vodafone sold its 44% stake in French mobile service provider SFR to Vivendi for about $11 billion{{cite web |url=http://frenchtribune.com/teneur/114278-vivendi-sa-chief-executive-officer-gains-ownership-biggest-cash-cow |title=Vivendi SA Chief Executive Officer Gains Ownership of the Biggest Cash Cow |website=French Tribune |access-date=12 July 2015 |archive-date=13 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313081607/http://frenchtribune.com/teneur/114278-vivendi-sa-chief-executive-officer-gains-ownership-biggest-cash-cow |url-status=dead }} and giving Vivendi full control of its largest unit.{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-03/vivendi-to-purchase-vodafone-stake-in-sfr-for-7-95-billion-euros.html |title=Vivendi to Purchase Vodafone Stake in SFR for 7.95 Billion Euros |access-date=12 July 2015 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407153808/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-03/vivendi-to-purchase-vodafone-stake-in-sfr-for-7-95-billion-euros.html |archive-date=7 April 2011}}

In 2012, Vivendi announced having entered a strategic review of its assets and decided to refocus its activities on media and content activities while maximizing its telecoms assets.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

On 25 July 2013, Activision Blizzard announced the buyout of 429 million shares from Vivendi for $5.83 billion, dropping the shareholder from a 63% stake to 11.8% by the end of the deal in September, ending Vivendi's majority ownership of Activision Blizzard.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} In November, Vivendi also sold its 53% stake in Maroc Telecom to Dubai-based Etisalat for around $4.2 billion.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vivendi-maroctelecom-idUSBRE96L0PZ20130722 |title=Vivendi to announce Maroc Telecom sale to Etisalat - sources |author=Sophie Sassard |publisher=Reuters |date=22 July 2013 |access-date=5 July 2021 |archive-date=12 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712125259/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vivendi-maroctelecom-idUSBRE96L0PZ20130722 |url-status=live }} Vivendi also confirmed in November 2013 its intention to launch a demerger plan which would result in Vivendi becoming an international media group consisting primarily of Canal+, Universal Music Group, and GVT, while SFR would be listed separately on the stock market. As a result of the foregoing, Vivendi group results for the first semester of 2014 are in a strong growth, witnessing the success of its repositioning strategy. Net income was up 84,8% to €1.9 billion.{{cite web |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/2014/08/28/97002-20140828FILWWW00225-vivendi-resultats-en-tres-forte-hausse.php |title=Vivendi: résultats en très forte hausse |website=Le Figaro |date=28 August 2014 |access-date=12 July 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304205901/http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/2014/08/28/97002-20140828FILWWW00225-vivendi-resultats-en-tres-forte-hausse.php |url-status=live }} In August 2014 Vivendi sells GVT to Telefônica Vivo, a subsidiary of Telefónica in Brazil.{{fact|date=October 2024}}

The moves allowed Vivendi to pay down debt and increase cash returns to shareholders while leaving it able to do acquisitions of its own. After SFR deal closes, Vivendi was expected to have around €5 billion, leaving it with some room to maneuver even after it pays down debt and returns nearly €5 billion in dividends and share buybacks to shareholders.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/vivendi-boss-vows-to-complete-media-makeover-1403608085 |title=Vivendi Boss Vows to Complete Media Makeover |author=Ruth Bender |author2=Marion Halftermeyer |date=24 June 2014 |website=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=12 July 2015 |archive-date=30 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130021636/https://www.wsj.com/articles/vivendi-boss-vows-to-complete-media-makeover-1403608085 |url-status=live }}

In 2014, Vivendi decided to sell mobile companies SFR (France) to Patrick Drahi's company, Altice,{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-numericable-vivendi-idUKBREA340CY20140405 |title=Numericable wins battle for Vivendi's SFR |website=Reuters UK |access-date=12 July 2015 |date=5 April 2014 |archive-date=18 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418023213/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-numericable-vivendi-idUKBREA340CY20140405 |url-status=dead }} and GVT (Brazil) to the Brazilian company Telefônica Vivo.{{cite web |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/2014/09/vivendi-cede-gvt-mais-ne-sort-pas-des-telecoms-310119 |title=Vivendi cède GVT mais ne sort pas des télécoms |date=21 September 2014 |website=lesechos.fr |access-date=12 July 2015 |archive-date=31 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031183909/http://www.lesechos.fr/tech-medias/medias/0203793547689-vivendi-cede-gvt-mais-ne-sort-pas-des-telecoms-1044957.php |url-status=live }} On 28 May, Vivendi sold half of its remaining shares (nearly 41.5 million shares) in Activision Blizzard for $850 million, reducing its stake to 6%.{{cite news |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trina-solar-jumps-23-on-better-than-expected-earnings-2014-05-21?siteid=yhoof2 |title=Vivendi to sell half of remaining Activision stake |date=21 May 2014 |website=MarketWatch |access-date=12 July 2015 |archive-date=26 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526112958/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trina-solar-jumps-23-on-better-than-expected-earnings-2014-05-21?siteid=yhoof2 |url-status=live }}

In April 2015, it was announced that a shareholder in the company Bolloré raised its stake from 10.2 percent to 12.01 percent for a total fee of €568 million.{{cite press release |publisher=Reuters |date=2 April 2015 |title=Bollore raises Vivendi stake again as AGM battle looms |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bollore-vivendi-idUSKBN0MT0OO20150402 |access-date=5 July 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006152258/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/02/us-bollore-vivendi-idUSKBN0MT0OO20150402 |url-status=live }} In 2015, Vivendi bought 80% share in Dailymotion.{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/30/vivendi-buys-80-of-frances-dailymotion-valuing-the-youtube-rival-at-295m/ |title=Vivendi Buys 80% Of France's Dailymotion, Valuing The YouTube Rival At $295M |author=Ingrid Lunden |publisher=AOL |website=TechCrunch |date=30 June 2015 |access-date=12 July 2015 |archive-date=24 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024212525/https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/30/vivendi-buys-80-of-frances-dailymotion-valuing-the-youtube-rival-at-295m/ |url-status=live }} According to the Wall Street Journal, the "French media group offered around $273 million for streaming service".{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/vivendi-confirms-interest-in-buying-dailymotion-1428388890 |title=Vivendi Confirms Interest in Buying DailyMotion |author=Inti Landauro |date=7 April 2015 |website=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=12 July 2015 |archive-date=28 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028025931/https://www.wsj.com/articles/vivendi-confirms-interest-in-buying-dailymotion-1428388890 |url-status=live }} Vivendi was in talks with Orange, to Buy 80% stake in Dailymotion. Also, Vivendi announced extra payouts in compromise with P. Schoenfeld Asset Management shareholder.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-08/vivendi-plans-extra-payout-in-compromise-with-activist-investor |title=Vivendi Plans Extra Payout in Compromise With Shareholder |author=Rudy Ruitenberg |date=8 April 2015 |website=Bloomberg.com |access-date=12 July 2015 |archive-date=8 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708191517/https://www.bloomberg.com/tosv.html?url=L25ld3MvYXJ0aWNsZXMvMjAxNS0wNC0wOC92aXZlbmRpLXBsYW5zLWV4dHJhLXBheW91dC1pbi1jb21wcm9taXNlLXdpdGgtYWN0aXZpc3QtaW52ZXN0b3I%2F&uuid=5c989320-82b3-11e8-93c6-0dfbc4219278&vid= |url-status=live }} It was revealed in October 2015 that Vivendi would increase its stake in Telecom Italia to around 19% of the ordinary share capital as part of its aims to increase its influence in the group.{{cite web |title=Exclusive: Vivendi moves to raise Telecom Italia stake to around 19 percent - sources |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-telecomitalia-vivendi-exclusive-idUSKCN0RV5Q020151001 |website=Reuters |date=1 October 2015 |access-date=5 July 2021 |archive-date=2 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202095505/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-telecomitalia-vivendi-exclusive-idUSKCN0RV5Q020151001 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-09/vivendi-ceo-tops-company-s-list-to-lead-telecom-italia-board |title=Vivendi CEO Tops Company's List to Lead Telecom Italia Board |date=9 April 2017 |work=Bloomberg.com |access-date=17 July 2017 |archive-date=14 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214064532/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-09/vivendi-ceo-tops-company-s-list-to-lead-telecom-italia-board |url-status=live }} As of May 2017, Vivendi owns 24.6% of the company with Vivendi's CEO Arnaud de Puyfontaine becoming Executive Chairman of Telecom Italia.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-telecomitalia-vivendi-chairman/telecom-italia-names-vivendi-ceo-de-puyfontaine-as-chairman-source-idUSKBN18S5LC|title=Telecom Italia appoints Vivendi's CEO as chairman|date=1 June 2017|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=30 August 2020|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808031512/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-telecomitalia-vivendi-chairman/telecom-italia-names-vivendi-ceo-de-puyfontaine-as-chairman-source-idUSKBN18S5LC|url-status=live}} In October, Vivendi bought minority stakes in the French video game studios Gameloft and Ubisoft.{{cite web |website=GameSpot |title=Former Activision Owner Vivendi Buys Stakes in Ubisoft and Gameloft |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/former-activision-owner-vivendi-buys-stakes-in-ubi/1100-6431427/ |date=15 October 2015 |access-date=15 October 2015 |archive-date=2 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202033140/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/former-activision-owner-vivendi-buys-stakes-in-ubi/1100-6431427/ |url-status=live }} On 17 December 2015, Vivendi acquired a 64.4% majority stake in Belgian online radio aggregator Radionomy (including its media player platform Winamp and internet radio streaming software Shoutcast). Its shareholders, including its employees and American-based investment firm Union Square Ventures, however, retained their stakes in the company.{{cite web |title=Vivendi Buys Majority Stake In Winamp, Shoutcast Owner Radionomy |url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/vivendi-buys-majority-stake-in-winamp-shoutcast-owner-radionomy-1201664170/ |website=Variety |date=17 December 2015 |access-date=18 December 2015 |archive-date=24 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224172708/https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/vivendi-buys-majority-stake-in-winamp-shoutcast-owner-radionomy-1201664170/ |url-status=live }}

In June 2016, after having triggered a mandatory tender offer in February 2016 by reaching 30% ownership, and then becoming its largest shareholder, Vivendi completed a hostile takeover of Gameloft with the acquisition of its founders' stake. At the same time, Vivendi also further increased its stake in Ubisoft, which had led to concern from the company's management that Vivendi was also planning a hostile takeover of Ubisoft, however as of 2018 Vivendi is no longer in the position to do so.{{cite web |title=Vivendi to Buy Remaining Control of Gameloft as Guillemots Agree to Sell |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/vivendi-to-buy-remaining-control-of-gameloft-as-gu/1100-6440596/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=22 June 2016 |archive-date=23 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223101545/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/vivendi-to-buy-remaining-control-of-gameloft-as-gu/1100-6440596/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Vivendi in process of mandatory takeover bid for Gameloft |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/vivendi-in-process-of-mandatory-takeover-bid-for-gameloft |website=GamesIndustry.biz |date=19 February 2016 |access-date=22 June 2016 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108124653/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-02-19-vivendi-in-process-of-mandatory-takeover-bid-for-gameloft |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Vivendi Wins Majority Backing for Gameloft Takeover as Content Strategy Becomes Clearer |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/vivendi-wins-majority-backing-gameloft-898618/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=June 2016 |access-date=22 June 2016 |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214194952/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/vivendi-wins-majority-backing-gameloft-898618 |url-status=live }} Vivendi (once the owner of Blizzard, later Activision Blizzard),{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-15/vivendi-sells-activision-blizzard-shares-netting-1-1-billion |title=Vivendi Sells Its Activision Stake, Netting $1.1 Billion |last=Serafino |first=Phil |website=Bloomberg.com |date=15 January 2016 |access-date=22 March 2016 }} searching for a new games publisher property has started investing in both Ubisoft and Gameloft.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-14/vivendi-buys-stakes-in-french-gamemakers-ubisoft-and-gameloft |title=Ubisoft, Gameloft Shares Surge After Vivendi Acquires Stakes |last=Mawad |first=Marie |website=Bloomberg.com |date=14 October 2015 |access-date=22 March 2016 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126055632/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-14/vivendi-buys-stakes-in-french-gamemakers-ubisoft-and-gameloft |url-status=live }} The brothers in charge of Ubisoft and Gameloft, Yves Guillemot and Michel Guillemot{{cite web |url=https://www.gameloft.com/corporate/?lang=en&ref=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F |title=Gameloft |website=www.gameloft.com |access-date=22 March 2016 |archive-date=23 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423231349/http://www.gameloft.com/corporate/?lang=en&ref=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F |url-status=live }} respectively, view the investments as a hostile takeover attempt,{{Cite web |url=https://seekingalpha.com/article/4073294-vivendi-one-step-closer-acquire-ubisoft |title=VIvendi acquires Ubisoft |website=seekingalpha.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170609200630/https://seekingalpha.com/article/4073294-vivendi-one-step-closer-acquire-ubisoft|archive-date=9 June 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-19/gameloft-shares-jump-after-vivendi-makes-hostile-takeover-offer |title=Gameloft Shares Surge on Vivendi's Hostile Takeover Offer |last=Mawad |first=Marie |website=Bloomberg.com |date=19 February 2016 |access-date=22 March 2016 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126114440/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-19/gameloft-shares-jump-after-vivendi-makes-hostile-takeover-offer |url-status=live }} and are raising capital from within the family{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/r-guillemot-family-ups-stake-in-gameloft-to-fend-off-takeover-2016-2 |title=Guillemot family ups stake in Gameloft to fend off 'takeover' |website=Business Insider |access-date=22 March 2016 |archive-date=19 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819051241/https://www.businessinsider.com/r-guillemot-family-ups-stake-in-gameloft-to-fend-off-takeover-2016-2 |url-status=live }} and from Canadian investors{{cite web |url=https://fortune.com/2016/02/26/ubisoft-hunts-for-canadian-investors-to-fight-off-vivendi/ |title=Ubisoft Hunts For Canadian Investors To Fight Off Vivendi |website=Fortune |access-date=22 March 2016 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108165934/https://fortune.com/2016/02/26/ubisoft-hunts-for-canadian-investors-to-fight-off-vivendi/ |url-status=live }} to maintain control of the companies. As of 8 June 2016, Vivendi has acquired a controlling stake in Gameloft. In news from 11 September 2016 Yves Guillemot is set to buy an additional 3.5% of Ubisoft shares to raise his stake to 12.5% to attempt to block a takeover from Vivendi. Yves has been attempting to lobby other shareholders to prevent them from selling their shares to Vivendi.{{cite web |url=https://overclock3d.net/news/gpu_displays/ubisoft_s_founder_buys_another_3_5_of_the_company/2 |title=Ubisoft's founder buys another 3.5% of the company |quote=The Guillemont family is attempting to prevent a takeover attempt from Vivendi |website=OC3D |date=7 September 2016 |access-date=11 September 2016 |archive-date=19 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819082750/https://www.overclock3d.net/news/gpu_displays/ubisoft_s_founder_buys_another_3_5_of_the_company/2 |url-status=live }} As of 20 March 2018, Vivendi has sold all its shares in Ubisoft and Tencent has bought in in their place.{{Cite news |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/vivendi-sells-off-ubisoft-holdings-tencent-buys-in/ |title=Vivendi sells off Ubisoft holdings, Tencent buys in |work=pcgamer |access-date=20 March 2018 |language=en |archive-date=3 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203051629/https://www.pcgamer.com/vivendi-sells-off-ubisoft-holdings-tencent-buys-in/ |url-status=live }} In an auction on 6 June, Vivendi won a bid to acquire Flavorus from SFX Entertainment for $4 million.{{cite news |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/vivendi-unit-wins-auction-for-sfxs-flavorus-2016-06-06 |title=Vivendi unit wins auction for SFX's Flavorus |first=Stephanie |last=Gleason |newspaper=MarketWatch |access-date=2 July 2016 |archive-date=1 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801012537/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/vivendi-unit-wins-auction-for-sfxs-flavorus-2016-06-06 |url-status=live }} Also that month, it acquired Paddington and Company Limited-owner of Paddington Bear and other properties, and The Copyrights Group. Vivendi declared that it owned 12.3% of Mediaset in December 2016.{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/132e73ee-c13f-11e6-9bca-2b93a6856354 |title=Bolloré and Berlusconi play cat and mouse over Mediaset |work=ft.com |date=14 December 2016 |access-date=12 February 2017 |last1=Agnew |first1=Harriet |archive-date=21 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921134113/https://www.ft.com/content/132e73ee-c13f-11e6-9bca-2b93a6856354 |url-status=live }} In September 2020, Vivendi owns 28.8% of Mediaset.{{cite web |url=https://www.capital.fr/entreprises-marches/vivendi-vincent-bollore-gagne-son-bras-de-fer-avec-mediaset-1379490 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904011449/https://www.capital.fr/entreprises-marches/vivendi-vincent-bollore-gagne-son-bras-de-fer-avec-mediaset-1379490 |archive-date=4 September 2020 |title=Vivendi : Vincent Bolloré gagne son bras de fer avec Mediaset |website=Capital.fr}} In January 2019, Vivendi completed its €900 million acquisition of Editis, one of France's major book publishers.{{Cite press release|url = https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190131005562/en/Vivendi-Completes-Acquisition-Editis-French-Language-Publishing-Powerhouse|title = Vivendi Completes the Acquisition of Editis, a French-Language Publishing Powerhouse|date = 31 January 2019|access-date = 7 February 2019|archive-date = 20 October 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201020211716/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190131005562/en/Vivendi-Completes-Acquisition-Editis-French-Language-Publishing-Powerhouse|url-status = live}}

In 2019, Vivendi acquired Nigeria's film studio ROK Studios which included its linear channels and VOD service, IROKO+.http://www.3pointplus.com.ng/gist/rok-studios {{Dead link|date=March 2022}}

At the end of the first quarter of 2020, Vivendi completed a partial sale of Universal Music Group (UMG) to a consortium led by Tencent, a Chinese media conglomerate. The amount of stake of the world's largest record label group that has been sold to the consortium is 10% and the valuation of which was $3.3 billion. The Tencent-led consortium retained an option to purchase another 10% at the same valuation until January 2021, which they opted to exercise in December 2020.{{Cite news|date=2020-12-18|title=Tencent Group Buys Further 10% of Vivendi's Universal Music|language=en|work=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-18/tencent-group-buys-further-10-of-vivendi-s-universal-music|access-date=2021-01-01|archive-date=18 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218202156/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-18/tencent-group-buys-further-10-of-vivendi-s-universal-music|url-status=live}} Pershing Square Holdings later acquired 10% of UMG prior to its IPO on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange. The company went public on 21 September 2021, at a valuation of €46 billion.{{Cite web|last=Turak|first=Natasha|date=2021-09-21|title=Universal Music Group shares soar in market debut|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/21/universal-music-group-shares-soar-in-market-debut.html|access-date=2021-10-14|website=CNBC|language=en}} In April, Vivendi bought a 10.6% stake in Lagardère Group, another French media group, the assets of which include the world's third-largest book publisher Hachette.{{Cite news|title=Vivendi buys stake in Lagardère ahead of activist showdown|url=https://www.ft.com/content/c6a9b19b-fbc6-472c-b4eb-58ceb5f54022|website=Financial Times|date=21 April 2020|access-date=2020-05-27|last1=Abboud|first1=Leila|archive-date=13 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213171307/https://www.ft.com/content/c6a9b19b-fbc6-472c-b4eb-58ceb5f54022|url-status=live}} By August 2020, Vivendi had doubled its stake in Lagardère to 23.5%, becoming the largest shareholder of the rival group.{{Cite news|last1=Rosemain|first1=Mathieu|last2=Kar-Gupta|first2=Sudip|date=2020-08-11|title=Bollore opens rift with France's richest man over Lagardere|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-lagardere-vivendi-idUKKCN2570M0|access-date=2020-09-15|archive-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228214626/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-lagardere-vivendi-idUKKCN2570M0|url-status=live}} In October, Vivendi acquired a 12% stake in South Africa's media company, MultiChoice.{{cite web|url = https://ayo.news/2020/11/24/multichoice-betking/|title = MULTICHOICE PAYS $81M FOR 20% STAKE IN BETKING|website = AYO.NEWS|date = 24 November 2020|access-date = 22 May 2021|archive-date = 22 May 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210522210103/https://ayo.news/2020/11/24/multichoice-betking/|url-status = live}} In December, Vivendi announced a deal to buy the French media conglomerate Prisma Media from Bertelsmann.{{Cite news|url = https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2020/12/23/vivendi-annonce-avoir-signe-une-promesse-d-achat-pour-acquerir-100-de-prisma-media_6064367_3234.html|title = Vivendi annonce avoir signé " une promesse d'achat " pour acquérir 100 % de Prisma Media|newspaper = Le Monde.fr|date = 23 December 2020|access-date = 31 January 2021|archive-date = 2 February 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210202092757/https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2020/12/23/vivendi-annonce-avoir-signe-une-promesse-d-achat-pour-acquerir-100-de-prisma-media_6064367_3234.html|url-status = live}} In January 2021, Vivendi bought a 9.9% stake in the Spanish media conglomerate Prisa.{{Cite web|url=https://www.challenges.fr/media/medias-apres-prisma-vivendi-lorgne-l-espagnol-prisa_747272|title=Médias: Après Prisma, Vivendi entre au capital de l'espagnol Prisa|date=22 January 2021|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122084448/https://www.challenges.fr/media/medias-apres-prisma-vivendi-lorgne-l-espagnol-prisa_747272|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.vivendi.com/en/press-release/vivendi-raises-its-stake-in-prisa-to-9-9/ |title=Vivendi raises its stake in PRISA to 9.9% |website=Vivendi |access-date=30 August 2021 |archive-date=6 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106114440/https://www.vivendi.com/en/press-release/vivendi-raises-its-stake-in-prisa-to-9-9/ |url-status=live }}

In September 2021, Vivendi distributed 60% of its UMG shares to shareholders and retained 10% of shares in an IPO at Euronext Amsterdam.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-21|title=Universal hits massive valuation of $54bn as it lists on Amsterdam Stock Exchange|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-hits-massive-valuation-of-54bn-as-it-lists-on-amsterdam-stock-exchange/|access-date=2021-09-22|website=Music Business Worldwide|language=en-US|archive-date=13 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213193113/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-hits-massive-valuation-of-54bn-as-it-lists-on-amsterdam-stock-exchange/|url-status=live}} Amber Capital informed Vivendi of its intention to sell all its shares in Lagardère (17.93 of the share capital) and invited Vivendi to make an acquisition offer. Vivendi has acquired Amber Capital's shares for 24.1 euros per share. The transaction will be completed by 15 December 2022, after gaining the approvals required by the current regulations in light of the takeover that could result from the mandatory public offer following this acquisition.{{cite web |url=https://www.vivendi.com/en/press-release/amber-capital-proposes-that-vivendi-acquire-its-stake-in-lagardere-which-vivendi-has-accepted/ |title=Amber Capital proposes that Vivendi acquire its stake in Lagardère, which Vivendi has accepted |website=Vivendi |access-date=11 October 2021 |archive-date=9 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009035844/https://www.vivendi.com/en/press-release/amber-capital-proposes-that-vivendi-acquire-its-stake-in-lagardere-which-vivendi-has-accepted/ |url-status=live }} In December 2021, Vivendi announced its plan to accelerate the purchase of Amber's stake in Lagardère.{{cite news| url = https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/vivendi-launch-offer-lagardere-2410-euros-per-share-2021-12-09/| title = Vivendi accelerates Lagardere purchase, extending media empire| newspaper = Reuters| date = 9 December 2021| last1 = Clercq| first1 = Geert de| last2 = Aloisi| first2 = Silvia| access-date = 21 December 2021| archive-date = 21 December 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211221214326/https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/vivendi-launch-offer-lagardere-2410-euros-per-share-2021-12-09/| url-status = live}} {{As of|2022|6}}, Vivendi owns 57.3% of Lagardère following the latter's IPO.{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2022/film/global/vivendi-lagardere-group-ipo-1235293595/ | title=Vivendi to Own 57.3% Stake in Lagardere Group Following IPO |date=14 June 2022 |work=Variety}} Vivendi offered to divest the book publisher Editis, as Lagardère already owns Hachette.{{cite news | url=https://www.ft.com/content/036a9f9f-8bf2-4b70-b6a8-2769fb4b40d5 | title=Vivendi offers to spin off book publisher Editis in regulatory battle | newspaper=Financial Times | date=28 July 2022 }}

In July 2022, Vivendi announced its plan to spin off Editis, anticipating the European competition regulators not to allow Editis and Lagardère Publishing to merge. In June 2023, Vivendi agreed to sell Editis to Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský's Czech Media Invest.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/frances-vivendi-signs-deal-sell-publishing-unit-editis-2023-06-16 | title=France's Vivendi inks deal to sell Editis to Kretinsky's IMI | newspaper=Reuters | date=16 June 2023 }} In July 2023, Vivendi announced that Prisma Media entered into exclusive negotiations with Groupe Figaro for the sale of Gala magazine.{{cite web | url=https://www.vivendi.com/en/press-release/vivendi-announced-that-prisma-media-entered-into-exclusive-negotiations-with-groupe-figaro-for-the-sale-of-the-gala-magazine/ | title=Vivendi announced that Prisma Media entered into exclusive negotiations with Groupe Figaro for the sale of the Gala magazine | website=Vivendi }} The transactions for Editis and Gala magazine were finalized in November 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-14 |title=Édition : Vivendi finalise la cession d'Editis à Daniel Kretinsky |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/edition-vivendi-finalise-la-cession-d-editis-a-daniel-kretinsky-20231114 |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=Le Figaro |language=fr |agency=Agence France-Presse}}{{Cite news |date=2023-11-21 |title=Comment Vivendi réinvente son modèle avec le rachat de Lagardère |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/tech-medias/medias/comment-vivendi-reinvente-son-modele-avec-le-rachat-de-lagardere-2030479 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240617114123/https://www.lesechos.fr/tech-medias/medias/comment-vivendi-reinvente-son-modele-avec-le-rachat-de-lagardere-2030479 |archive-date=2024-06-17 |access-date=2024-12-16 |work=Les Echos |language=fr}}

On 13 December 2023, Vivendi announced that it was studying a split project to separate its three businesses, Canal+, Havas and its publishing unit (including its stake in Lagardère and Prisma Media) as well as Gameloft and its investments in other companies (Universal Music Group, TIM, MFE, Banijay, Prisa, Telefonica) into four separate companies.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/vivendi-project-split-activities-several-entities-1235666707/|title=Vivendi Says It Is "Studying" A Project To Split Activities Into Several Entities|date=2023-12-13|work=Deadline|first=Melanie|last=Goodfellow}} On 30 January 2024, the company's supervisory board approved the split project.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/french-company-vivendi-proposes-split-into-four-entities-2024-01-30/|title=French company Vivendi proposes to split into four entities|date=2024-01-30|access-date=2024-12-13|work=Reuters}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vivendi.com/en/press-release/vivendi-update-on-the-study-of-the-split-project/|title=Vivendi: update on the study of the split project|work=Vivendi|date=2024-01-30}} On 22 July 2024, Vivendi announced that the publishing company post-split would become Louis Hachette Group while Canal+ and Havas would be listed on the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam respectively while LHG would trade on Euronext Paris. Canal+ would retain its French corporate status.{{cite web |date=2024-07-22 |title=Vivendi says Canal+ to be listed in London under break-up plan |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/vivendi-says-canal-be-listed-london-part-groups-split-project-2024-07-22/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Reuters}}{{cite web |last=Natwoka |first=Ed |date=2024-07-25 |title=Vivendi Updates Plans to Spin Off Hachette in Three-Way Split |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/industry-deals/article/95565-vivendi-updates-plans-to-spinoff-hachette-in-three-way-split.html |access-date=2024-12-13 |work=Publishers Weekly}} On 29 October 2024, the company's supervisory board approved the split plan. Vivendi would retain its listing on the Euronext Paris and would continue its operations as an investment company.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/vivendi-split-approved-four-companies-canal-plus-havas-1236047310/|title=Vivendi Board Approves Split Into Four Companies, Sets December Shareholder Vote|date=2024-10-29|access-date=2024-12-13|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Georg|last=Szalai}} On 9 December 2024, Vivendi's shareholders approved the split project.{{cite web |last=Whitlock |first=Jesse |date=2024-12-09 |title=Canal+ To Become Standalone Company As Vivendi Shareholders Approve Spinoff Plan |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/canal-plus-standalone-vivendi-shareholders-approve-split-1236198279/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} The spin-off companies started trading on 16 December 2024.{{Cite web |last1=Nostro |first1=Gianluca Lo |last2=Marchandon |first2=Leo |last3=Loève |first3=Florence |date=2024-12-16 |editor-last=Nissi |editor-first=Milla |title=Canal+ falls, Havas and Louis Hachette up on market debut post Vivendi split |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/trading-opens-bollores-empire-after-vivendi-breakup-2024-12-16/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=Reuters}}

The official name of the company is Vivendi SE (Societas Europaea). The headquarters are located at 42 Avenue Friedland, 75008 Paris.{{cite web |url= https://www.vivendi.com/en/footer/terms-of-use |title=Terms of Use |publisher=Vivendi |access-date=24 March 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210413211415/https://www.vivendi.com/en/footer/terms-of-use/ |url-status=live}}

{{update|section|date=May 2024}}

As of 31 December 2019, Vivendi ownership is as follows:{{Cite web | url=https://www.vivendi.com/actionnaires-investisseurs/l-action-vivendi/ | title=Structure actionnariale - Vivendi | access-date=3 March 2021 | archive-date=6 March 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306175241/https://www.vivendi.com/actionnaires-investisseurs/l-action-vivendi/ | url-status=live }}

• Bolloré (27.06%)
• Société Générale (5.29%)
• Caisse des dépôts et consignations (3.23%)
• Vivendi employees (2.95%)
• DNCA Finance (0,31%)
• Self control (1.18%)
• Other shareholders (59.99%)

{{update|section|date=May 2024}}

As of 16 May 2020, the board is comprised as follows:https://www.vivendi.com/en/vivendi-en/governance/supervisory-board/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508185946/https://www.vivendi.com/en/vivendi-en/governance/supervisory-board/ |date=8 May 2019 }} Vivendi Board

• Yannick Bolloré (chairman); also CEO of Havas, which was spun off from Vivendi in 2000 but has since become a subsidiary{{cite web |url=https://www.vivendi.com/en/press-release/vivendi-strong-growth-of-the-groups-operating-activities-and-ebita-in-2022/ |title=Financial Report and Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 |date=8 March 2023 |website=Vivendi |access-date=5 June 2022 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414181758/https://www.vivendi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/20210303_VIV_CP_Resultats-annuels-2020.pdf |url-status=live}}
• Philippe Bénacin, chairman and CEO of Interparfums
• Cyrille Bolloré, former chairman and CEO of Bolloré
• Paulo Cardoso, treasurer of Canal+
• Laurent Dassault, co-managing director of Dassault Group
• Sébastien Bolloré
• Véronique Driot-Argentin, Vivendi HR executive
• Aliza Jabès, chairwoman of NUXE
• Cathia Lawson-Hall, executive at Société Générale
• Sandrine Le Bihan, Vivendi legal executive
• Michèle Reiser, filmmaker and culture commissioner
• Katie Stanton, general partner of Moxxie Ventures
• Athina Vasilogiannaki, legal and business affairs director of Minos EMI

{{Main list|List of assets owned by Vivendi}}

Vivendi is a company primarily focused on digital entertainment. It currently owns the French video game company Gameloft.

Vivendi's president Vincent Bolloré, appointed in June 2014, aims at developing synergies between the company's subsidiaries now refocused on media: Gameloft.{{cite web |url=https://www.latribune.fr/technos-medias/20140624trib000836742/la-strategie-de-bollore-creer-des-synergies-au-sein-du-nouveau-vivendi.html |title=La stratégie de Bolloré : créer des synergies au sein du nouveau Vivendi |website=La Tribune |date=24 June 2014 |access-date=12 July 2015 |archive-date=2 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802171228/https://www.latribune.fr/technos-medias/20140624trib000836742/la-strategie-de-bollore-creer-des-synergies-au-sein-du-nouveau-vivendi.html |url-status=live }}

In July 2016, Vivendi completed its takeover of Gameloft,{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/vivendi-succeeds-in-gameloft-takeover-1465303696|title=Vivendi Buys Founders Out of Mobile-Gaming Company|first=Nick|last=Kostov|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=7 June 2016|access-date=5 June 2018|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128152111/https://www.wsj.com/articles/vivendi-succeeds-in-gameloft-takeover-1465303696|url-status=live}} the world's largest mobile-games publisher in terms of downloads. Gameloft reported that their games had amassed over 1 billion downloads in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.gameloft.com/corporate/press-room/press-details/?id=4213|title=Gameloft - Corporate|website=www.gameloft.com|access-date=14 June 2018|archive-date=14 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614121859/http://www.gameloft.com/corporate/press-room/press-details/?id=4213|url-status=live}}

{{bulleted list|MFE (4.6%)|PRISA (9.9%)|Telefónica (1%)|Banijay Group (19.2%)|Universal Music Group (10%)}}

In July 2024, Vivendi was alleged by Reporters Without Borders (RWB) to have been involved in a disinformation campaign against RWB. On 13 February 2024, in response to a request lodged by RWB, the Conseil d'État ordered CNews, part of the Vivendi group, to better respect journalistic standards and diversity. The February order by the Conseil d'État was followed by an intense disinformation campaign of hate speech against RWB. In July 2024, RWB published the results of its investigation into the disinformation campaign. Its findings included a fake website pretending to be run by RWB hosted on a server hosting "Fan de CNews", a fansite supporting CNews. The website was run by what RWB states is a disinformation agency called Progressif Media, hosted at Vivendi. The main investigator, Arnaud Froger, stated that Progressif Media used "counterfeiting, concealment, cybersquatting [and] trolling" as disinformation techniques against RWB.{{cite Q|Q127163686|url-status=live|trans-title=Progressif Media, an agency with a toxic reputation, hosted by Vivendi, the corporate group controlled by Bolloré, is behind the disinformation campaign against RWB}}

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