
Immelt
Vivendi has agreed to place a value of $5.8 billion (€3.53 billion) on its holding in NBC Universal, according to sources widely quoted in the financial press, a move that gives the go-ahead for Comcast’s joint venture with General Electric.
Talks between the two parties have been in progress for several weeks, culminating in a meeting in Paris last week between GE Chief Executive Jeffrey Immelt and Vivendi CEO Jean-Bernard Levy.
Vivendi had previously valued its stake at $6.1 billion, the two sides coming together during the course of the negotiations.
In addition to the NBC Networks in the US, the sale also includes the Universal Networks portfolio that includes Universal Channel, 13th Street Universal, Syfy Universal (the former Sci Fi), Diva Universal and Studio Universal.
An official announcement is expected over the next few days.

"In an industry that experiences rapid change and often a confusing subsequent
constant supply of news, it is often refreshing to read an insightful perspective. Broadband
TV News and its editorial team regularly provide a context and
helpful analysis to breaking news.”
Broadband TV News is the must-read publication for those working in the Business of the Multiscreen Television. We deliver news, insight and data direct to your desktop. As well as our constantly updated website you can sign-up to our Daily and Weekly email bulletins.
Connected TV Forecasts NEW REPORT. The number of TV sets connected to the Internet will reach 551 million by 2016 for the 40 countries covered in this report from Digital TV Research, up from 124 million at end-2010. The report states that this translates to 20% of global TV sets by 2016, up from only 6% at end-2010. Published in November 2011, this 83-page PDF report is the most geographically comprehensive to ever be published.