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Vivendi U.S. deal seen
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April 3, 2001: 2:31 a.m. ET
Report: Media giant set to announce U.S. distribution deal this week
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LONDON (CNN) - Vivendi Universal, the world's second-largest media company, is expected to unveil a distribution deal in the U.S. this week, a report said.
The planned announcement is part of the French multimedia company's attempt to meet pledges to investors to create a global communications and content group, the Financial Times said.
Vivendi Universal (PEX), which last year paid $34 billion to buy Canadian group Seagram, recognises it has all kinds of entertainment and information content in the U.S. but few ways to distribute it.
"The first priority is to increase our U.S. distribution reach," Vivendi Chairman Jean-Marie Messier told the FT. "For the first time in our history, we are strong enough not to look at it any more only through acquisitions, but focusing first on partnerships or commercial agreements," he said.
The French company's Universal Music roster of stars includes Abba and Eminem, and its movie studio Universal has clocked up some big hits with the likes of "Gladiator" .
Executives at the media giant have been looking at several options, including how it might work with Internet portal Yahoo! It has also been considering wireless relationships with the likes of AT&T (T: Research, Estimates) and Verizon (VZ: Research, Estimates).
Messier told the FT plans a year of "soft alliances," – a string of commercial agreements, joint ventures and partnerships to build out the Vivendi Universal business. 
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