Negotiations between French multinational media company Vivendi and beIN Sports, concerning a purchase of Qatari-owned beIN by the Canal+ parent company, “will not go on forever,” according to Jérôme Lefilliâtre of LIBÉRATION. A source close to the situation said that the ongoing "complex and sensitive discussions" should result in an agreement (or failure) by “the end of February or early March.” Vivendi is scheduled to release its annual financial report “on Feb. 18.” Investors and analysts hope after that date “they will have more information regarding the CEO’s intentions.” An allegiance between the two commercial rivals, “could profoundly transform the television landscape in France.” If the deal goes through, it could mean “a huge upheaval at Canal+.” The pay-TV channel could get its hands on the TV rights owned by beIN Sports (Ligue 1, La Liga, Serie A, tennis and NBA), and could “be tempted to redesign its commercial offers.” Vivendi must “first convince beIN Sports” (LIBÉRATION, 1/28).
TWO OPTIONS: LE PARISIEN reported there are two options being considered, and one values beIN Sports at €500M ($547M), “which Vivendi could pay with shares, the sum being the equivalent of 8% of its capital.” The other scenario “consists of an exclusive distribution agreement” of the French beIN Sports channels, which would be reserved for Canal+ and CanalSat subscribers based on the Eurosport model (LE PARISIEN, 1/28)
