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Battle over VUE assets ends in NBC’s favour
MUMBAI: The protracted three-month old battle between various media firms over the assets of Vivendi Universal Entertainment has come to a close. As expected, NBC has walked away with the spoils.
At the time of filing, the two parties were in a meeting to ink a letter of agreement for a deal which will reportedly bring in $3.8 billion in cash to the cash-strapped Vivendi and an additional $1.2 billion in assumed debt. Reuters has valued the deal for Vivendi at approximately $13.6 billion.
The new entity is to be called NBC Universal, making it the third largest media company in the world after Walt Disney Co. and Viacom in that order. Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. Ltd. will now come in at Number 4.
Vivendi will merge assets including Universal film studios and the five theme parks, as well as the USA and Sci-Fi TV networks – with NBC.
All this of course indicates that Vivendi is keen on staying in the media business for a while longer. Earlier, there was talk that it would restrict itself to just the music segment. The broadcaster’s parent General Electric will have a 80 per cent stake in the company. The troubled French media group will have the minority 20 per cent stake. Since Vivendi has reportedly valued its 20 per cent stake in the future NBC Universal group at $9 billion, the total value of the company therefore stands at $ 45 billion.
The new company is expected to generate $13 billion in annual revenues and $3 billion in operating cash flow.
As reported earlier by iIndiantelevision.com, the deal will enable NBC to look beyond just the other broadcast networks ABC, CBS, Fox and take on their owners Disney, Viacom and Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation. Analysts have noted that the deal will allow NBC access to more programming without difficult negotiations with its competitors. Reports indicate that the deal makes sense in the US where the new regulatory environment no longer separates production and broadcasting. The proposed merger, which is expected to be completed by end-September is also expected to pass through European Union regulatory scrutiny without a hitch.
It is however doubtful as to whether NBC sees a great deal of value in the theme park arena. In all probability it will operate them until an attractive exit is found.
While NBC has been in the forefront for a while now the former owner of Universal Edgar Bronfman Jr who sold out to Vivendi three years ago and who is on Vivendi’s board of directors had still held out hopes of a deal going in his favour. He has however finally resigned to losing out. MGM was one of the first parties to pull out of the race for the VUE assets. The other serious suitiors at one time or another included Liberty Media, Viacom and cable company Comcast.
But this does not mean that Bronfman has totally de-linked from making a play for Vivendi assets. Still up for grabs is Universal’s music assets Universal Music Group which is not part of the current deal. It is seen as a straight play with none of the complexities that this deal came with and will be a more straightforward pitch for Bronfman.
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NBC expected to clinch deal for VUE assets
NBC emerges as front runner in Vivendi US showbiz deal
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
