BSkyB, Canal Plus merger talks back on
Messier sees sense in renewing discussions with Murdoch
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According to reports in French newspaper La Tribune, Vivendi chairman Messier is due to meet Murdoch next week, although company sources talking to Daily Variety noted, "We don't discuss the chairman's engagement diary." Vivendi is Canal Plus' largest shareholder.
Murdoch's News Corp. holds 40% of BSkyB; Vivendi has a 25% stake. Eric Licoys, prexy of Vivendi subsid Havas, is about to join the BSkyB board.
Merger discussions between BSkyB and Canal Plus, which the French claim were initiated by the Murdoch team, broke down in March over French insistence that a merged entity be run by Canal Plus execs.
Since then, Messier has said he sees the sense in a merger, but has added that it is not a top priority. Vivendi currently holds 49% of Canal Plus and is known to be willing to reduce its share to 40%.
The Vivendi chairman has been talking up the idea of looking for partnerships with either News Corp. or BSkyB, possibly in the Internet business, in which Messier is determined to become a powerful European player.
