Exhibit 99.1
[VIVENDI UNIVERSAL LOGO]
Vivendi Universal and Canal+ Group:
Agreement on sale of Canal+ Television AB
Paris, September 9, 2003 - Vivendi Universal (Paris Bourse: EX FP; NYSE: V) and
Canal+ Group signed today an agreement regarding the disposal of Canal+
Television AB, the company in charge of its pay-television channel activities in
the Nordic region, to a consortium made of equity firms Xxxxx Capital and Nordic
Capital.
The transaction is based on an enterprise value of E70 million, resulting in a
net contribution to the Group's debt reduction of E54 million, principally due
to loan retirement. It comes in addition to the sale in June 2002 of Canal+
Group's 50% stake in the Nordic satellite platform Canal Digital for an amount
of E290 million.
The agreement is submitted to the approval of the relevant administrative
authorities and the closing of the transaction is due to take place in the
course of the fourth quarter of 2003.
Canal+ Television AB, based in Stockholm, produces six pay-television channels,
one for each of the four Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden)
where the company operates, two pan-Nordic channels, as well as a pay-per-view
service (Kiosk).
Xxxxx Capital, founded in 1995, is a private equity firm with $1.5 billion under
management. The firm makes investments in communications-focused companies at
all stages of development.
Nordic Capital is a Swedish private equity firm founded in 1990 investing mainly
in well-established Nordic companies. The company has provided expansion capital
to more than 50 companies since its inception, representing accumulated revenues
of E10 billion.
Important Disclaimer:
--------------------
This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' as that term is defined
in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ
materially from the forward-looking statements and business strategy as a result
of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control,
including but not limited to the risks that Vivendi Universal will not be able
to obtain the necessary approvals for the contemplated transaction, as well as
the risks described in the documents Vivendi Universal has filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission and with the French Commission des Operations
de Bourse. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of documents
filed by Vivendi Universal with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at
xxx.xxx.xxx or directly from Vivendi Universal. Vivendi Universal does not
undertake to provide, nor has any obligation to provide, update or revise
forward-looking statements.
Contacts:
Media Investor Relations
Paris New York
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx XxXxxxxxxx
x00 (0).00.00.0000 x(0) 000.000.0000
Xxxxx Vetillart
x00 (0).00.00.0000
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
x00 (0).00.00.0000
