News Broadcasting
NBC eyes Vivendi in bid to take on Viacom, Disney
NEW YORK: Ever since Vivendi formally invited bids for Vivendi Universal Entertainment — the Universal film and TV studio, theme parks, and cable channels nearly two month ago, the bidding has come in thick and furious.
Some players like MGM dropped out after the initial spurt of enthusiasm. Reports now indicate that television network NBC is in the forefront to buy the assets of Vivendi Universal.
Some parties including Viacom CEO Sumner Redstone are said to have found Vivendi’s price of $14 billion very expensive and an exit would not come as a surprise. Sources indicate that NBC submitted a letter of interest a couple of days ago.
By bidding, NBC has made a clear statement that it wants to take its business to the next level. Its competition would broaden from just ABC, CBS to their respective media conglomerate parents, The Walt Disney Company and Viacom.
A Reuters report indicates that besides NBC, the other companies in the fray at the moment are John Malone’s Liberty Media and a consortium headed by Vivendi vice-chairman Edgar Bronfman Jr. Malone however has also expressed concern over the price tag.
NBC’s industrial conglomerate parent, General Electric (GE) has firmly backed the network. A Reuters report indicates that over the past couple of years, GE has supported the broadcasters’ purchase of Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo and arts channel Bravo.
While adding size to its entertainment business is important, analysts are however sceptical as to the amount of money NBC would be able to shell out for the assets. Over the years, NBC has gained critical acclaim for cult shows like The Cosby Show and ER. It also runs the business and financial channel CNBC.
NBC has not indicated whether or not it plans to purchase all assets. It is felt by some bankers that the broadcaster may be simply looking at the cable networks.
Adding strength to NBC’s case is investment bank JP Morgan who recently made the following remarks in a research note. “GE appears to be emerging as a front runner in the auction for the Vivendi assets, and our sense is that the level of interest at the company has increased since the process began several months ago.”
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.
