News Broadcasting
‘All or nothing’, Vivendi tells bidders ahead of Monday deadline
MUMBAI: Bid for all or nothing! that’s the message from media conglomerate Vivendi Universal.
The deadline for receiving bids is just two days away and this assertion by the heavily indebted media powerhouse appears more hopeful stance than definite fact at the moment. One banker quoted by Reuters says Vivendi would inevitably receive bids for individual units.
Vivendi Universal CFO Jacques Espinasse has been quoted as saying that the company was facing a combination of up to 36 possible offers but only a few were “interested in the whole thing”.
Whoever is willing to bid for Vivendi lock, stock and barrel though, could get it for anywhere between $ 12 to 18 billion, depending on how many make a bid for the whole package (at this point in time whether there is even one is debatable though). The package on offer includes Hollywood’s Universal Studios, cable television channels USA and Sci Fi, and the Universal theme parks. The video games division, Vivendi Universal Games, remains somewhat in flux. While not part of the VUE sale, now, it could be included if a buyer pays the right price.
The assets are reportedly being eyed by six bidders, which include US media major Viacom, Hollywood studio MGM, NBC’s parent company General Electric, former Universal Group owners the Bronfman family, billionaire oil magnate Marvin Davis’s consortium Universal Partners and John Malone’s Liberty Media. The latter three are also reported to be interested in Vivendi’s music business.
With the music industry in a tailspin, Vivendi has not insisted that music be part of the sale but it would be reasonable to assume that that interest in music will work to their advantage in bidding.
Vivendi Universal’s net debt at the end of May was estimated at around 14 billion ($16.5 billion), compared with 15.3 billion ($18.09 billion) at the end of March.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
