Mediaset denies Vivendi takeover talk

Italian pay TV firm Mediaset has dismissed reports that it is considering a takeover by Canal+ Group parent Vivendi, but said it sees “opportunities” to work with the French firm.

Vivendi chairman
Vincent Bolloré

Vivendi was linked with a move for European satcaster Sky earlier this month and last week rumours emerged that it was eyeing up Mediaset, but both firms have said they are not interested in selling.

Mediaset deputy chairman Pier Silvio Berlusconi, son of Italy’s controversial former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, said offloading his family’s controlling stake was not on the cards but admitted that he was prepared to consider partnering with the French firm, although no projects between the companies are underway.

Vivendi has been at the centre of numerous takeover rumours over recent weeks as its chairman Vincent Bolloré prepares an ambitious expansion strategy.

Bolloré has increased his stake in Vivendi to nearly 15% over the past month and is now preparing to grow the firm after a series of sell-offs, including telecoms company SFR and video game firm Activision Blizzard, netting the company a war chest of more than US$10bn.

Bolloré recently said the firm was in a position to become a major content group and would be eyeing up more acquisitions. The company currently includes pay TV operator Canal+ and Universal Music Group, and earlier this month offered to buy video site Dailymotion for around €250m (US$271m).