Vivendi, Canal Group and esports event organizer ESL announced a major strategic partnership. The partnership provides for the launch of the first official esports leagues in France based on the existing ESL Championnat National. Under the partnership, these competitions will be shown on the Canal Group channels, making the broadcaster a major esports player in France. Discussions are ongoing with top game publishers to select the games covered by those leagues. Canal Group and ESL will also join forces for the development and promotion of esports in France by co-organizing major int'l events. The objective is to strengthen the role of France as a key country in the int'l esports circuit and bring new excitement to the local esports community in France. Vivendi will provide support to this initiative via Universal Music Group, Dailymotion and its activities in live events such as L’Olympia and Digitick. Canal Group is already a sponsor of French professional esports club Team Vitality. Canal Group has also announced the launch of the Canal Esports Club, a new TV show entirely devoted to esports (Vivendi).
VIVENDI STAKE: BROADBAND TV NEWS' Julian Clover reported Vivendi Chair Vincent Bolloré is "taking his stake in Vivendi to over 20% following a series of financial moves." Under Bolloré, Vivendi has "grown its share in Telecom Itala and re-entered the video gaming market through its acquisition of Ubisoft Entertainment." However, "questions remain as to the health" of Vivendi-owned Canal+. The "one-time talisman for the pay-TV business has suffered subscriber erosion and plans to shore up the operation," though tie-ups with beIN Sport have been "thwarted" by the competition authorities (BROADBAND TV NEWS, 10/10).
