THURSDAY - VIVENDI DROPS "UNIVERSAL" FROM ITS NAME

NBC-Universal will now become the only hyphenated media company with the word "Universal" following the hyphen. Vivendi-Universal (the hyphen appeared to be optional) announced today (Thursday) that it would become just plain-old Vivendi again. In 2004, the company sold most of its Universal entertainment interests to GE, which combined them with its NBC broadcasting holdings. Nevertheless, Vivendi retained a small stake in the new company and continued to hold on to its record companies, Universal Music Group, and Universal Games (which will now be known as Vivendi Games). It also retained its French pay-TV company, Canal Plus. The company said that in addition it will delist its shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

21/04/2006