Vivendi Universal has confirmed it has sold conditional access and interactive software business Canal + Technologies to Thomson Multimedia as part of its disposal of non-core assets, writes Barbara Marshall
Vivendi Universal has confirmed it has sold conditional access and interactive software business Canal + Technologies to Thomson Multimedia as part of its disposal of non-core assets, writes Barbara Marshall

Thomson, which already owned 3.19 per cent of Canal + Technologies, has paid Euro 190 million for the 89 per cent held by Vivendi Universal-owned Canal + Group. Sony, Sogecable and Sun Microsystems retain their minority stakes.

In a statement, Thomson indicated that it is looking to forge further relationships 'of an industrial, strategic and financial nature' with other technology firms. This could indicate some kind of deal being struck with rival NDS, whose £700m piracy lawsuit brought against it by Canal + Technologies (Broadcast 12.4.02), was suspended earlier this year.

Canal + Technologies will sit within Thomson's new media services division. However, in the statement, Thomson made it clear that the acquisition would not affect its relationship with existing clients as it would continue to supply whatever middleware and conditional access technologies that are required by its clients.

Topics