Vivendi says it’s no longer willing to give priority to finding an amicable solution in its dispute with Mediaset.
The French media giant says until now it has remained open to discussions with Mediaset and has sought alternative solutions.
Vivendi says Mediaset’s only response has been to issue aggressive public statements and to initiate multiple legal actions. The latest, issued on October 12th seeks the sequestration of 3.5% of Vivendi’s share capital.
A bid for Mediaset Premium, Mediaset’s DTT pay platform, was initially made in April but collapsed in August leading Mediaset to file suit against Vivendi for allegedly pulling out of the deal.
For its part Mediaset says that since July 25 – the date of the official letter from Vivendi following the signature of the contract between the two companies – there has been no further contact.
“Moreover, even the repeated references in this public statement to the “unrealistic business plan” – remember that any analysis of the Mediaset Premium results obviously took place before the signing – constitute inappropriate interference on the activities of an important asset of a listed company. And cause further damage to its reputation and name.”