Vivendi Said to Mull Offer to Settle Mediaset Pay-TV Dispute
- Cash, stock package could reach range of $1.2 billion
- Premium pay-TV unit could join Vivendi-Telecom Italia venture
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Vivendi SA is considering making a settlement offer that includes cash and stock to resolve its year-long dispute over a failed pay-TV deal with the Berlusconi family’s broadcaster Mediaset SpA, according to people familiar with the discussions.
The French media conglomerate, led by billionaire Chairman Vincent Bollore, is considering giving Mediaset a compensation package that may be valued in the range of 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion), said the people, who asked not to be named discussing private talks. Mediaset’s Premium pay-TV channel, the asset at the center of the original deal that fell apart last year, could become part of a joint venture between Vivendi’s Canal Plus and Telecom Italia Spa, they said.