French media and telecommunications conglomerate Vivendi SA (VIVEF.PK) is expected to decide today about selling its 20% stake in General Electric Co.'s (GE) media and entertainment arm NBC Universal division, media sources reported on Sunday.
This move would clear way for GE to combine its media assets with the largest U.S. cable operator Comcast Corp. (CMCSA,CMCSK).
Comcast was reportedly negotiating to buy 51% of a venture that would include NBC Universal, if Vivendi agrees to sell its stake in NBC. Comcast would contribute $4 billion to $6 billion plus cable channels including E! Entertainment, and GE would contribute its 80% stake in NBC Universal.
Vivendi has until Dec. 10 to notify GE of its intention to sell the NBC Universal holding, sources said. GE holds 80% of NBC Universal.
GE and Comcast are reportedly looking to finish the agreement within the next two weeks, and the resulting entity would have a net $9 billion in debt. Both companies want the venture to be investment grade. The deal may take as long as a year to pass U.S. regulatory approval, reports noted. If successful, the venture will create a media giant.
The agreement reportedly includes a mechanism that could reduce the cash Comcast would have to pay upon the closing of the deal. Paris-based Vivendi is not yet part of the agreement. Vivendi is said to have an annual option to sell its stake in NBC between November 15 and December 10.
Further, sources said that the venture would pay Vivendi over time using cash generated from operations. Comcast has the option to buy out GE's minority stake at 3.5-year and 7-year intervals.
VIVEF.PK closed Friday's regular trading session at $29.15, up 40 cents or 1.39%.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.