Vivendi Universal Entertainment LLLP (VUE) was an American group, an 86% subsidiary of the French conglomerate Vivendi Universal, bringing together Vivendi Universal's film (Universal Studios), television (USA Network, Sci-Fi, etc.), and theme park businesses, making it the world's second-largest communications and media company.
Created in 2000 as a result of Vivendi purchasing both Seagram and Canal+, VUE was one of the divisions of Vivendi Universal, a global group active in many areas such as music with Universal Music Group, film with Universal Pictures and StudioCanal, telecommunications with Cegetel and SFR, and publishing with Vivendi Universal Publishing (literature, textbooks, press, video games; now Editis).
In 2002, with the acquisition of USA Networks, Vivendi Universal Entertainment's headquarters moved from Paris to 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California.
History
2000: merger of Vivendi and Seagram Vivendi Universal Entertainment is the result of the 2000 merger of Seagram's Universal activities (excluding music) and the Canal+ Group, which includes the Canal+ channel, Canalsatellite, and StudioCanal, contributed by Vivendi.
In 2002, Vivendi Universal acquired the entertainment activities of the American group InterActiveCorp (namely the USA Network and the Sci-Fi channel) and integrated them into Vivendi Universal Entertainment and a new holding company named “Vivendi Universal Entertainment LLLP” domiciled in the United States.
On May 30, 2003, Vivendi Universal Entertainment sold Spencer Gifts, a chain of gift and novelty stores located in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, to American investment funds Gordon Brothers Group and Palladin Capital Group for approximately $100 million.
2004: NBCUniversal merger In May 2004, Vivendi Universal sold Vivendi Universal Entertainment to General Electric, owner of NBC, which integrated it into the new NBCUniversal media group in exchange for a 20% stake. Vivendi Universal retained Universal Music Group and Canal+.
Sale of remaining residual interest (2011) Vivendi Universal's stake was finally sold to General Electric in two stages at the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011. This group then sold 51% of NBCUniversal to Comcast, which integrated its own television channels into the company.
Post-merger re-incorporation After the 2004 merger between National Broadcasting Company, Inc. & Vivendi Universal Entertainment LLLP that created NBC Universal, Inc. (formerly National Broadcasting Company, Inc.), Vivendi Universal Entertainment itself would go through a re-incorporation to "Universal City Studios Productions LLLP" (which would take on the business name of "NBCUniversal Television Distribution").
Organization In 2004, Vivendi Universal Entertainment consisted of:
Universal Studios Universal Pictures Focus Features United International Pictures Universal Studios Home Video Universal Television Universal Parks & Resorts Universal Music Group Vivendi Universal Games Universal Interactive Canal+ Group Spencer Gifts
References