Key milestones

Since 2014, Vivendi’s ambition has been to build a large global content, media and communications group.

In November 2011, Vivendi acquired EMI’s recorded music division, significantly expanding its music content offering. Between 2013 and 2015, the Group sold certain assets, including in particular telecoms assets (SFR, Maroc Telecom, GVT) and Activision Blizzard, to reduce its significant debt level and to focus on its media, content and communications activities. Vincent Bolloré was appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board in June 2014.

Vivendi's headquarters in Paris

2015

In June, Vivendi acquired Dailymotion, one of the world’s largest video streaming platforms, which progressively refocused on premium content by entering into a large number of high-level partnerships.

Canal+ broadcasted all 48 matches (27 exclusively) of the Rugby World Cup 2015 hosted by England.

2016

In February, Vivendi became a shareholder of Banijay, which became the largest international player in audiovisual content production and distribution in 2020 following the acquisition of Endemol Shine.

In July, Vivendi acquired Gameloft, the world leader in mobile video games, now progressively deploying its key franchises across all platforms.

Studiocanal accelerated its development in content production by investing in various independent European companies.

2017

The first CanalOlympia cinema and entertainment venues opened in January and February. This move is part of the Group’s strategy to strongly develop in Africa.

In July, Vivendi acquired the Bolloré group’s majority stake in Havas, becoming 100% owner of the communications company in December.

Studiocanal made a historic start in the United Kingdom in November with the release of Paddington 2 starring Hugh Grant. Two months earlier, Paddington became the new Champion for Children in support of Unicef and, in October, Gameloft released Paddington Run.

2018

In April, Yannick Bolloré succeeded his father as Chairman of Vivendi’s Supervisory Board.

Also in April, See Tickets (Vivendi Village) acquired Dutch company Paylogic and set up a ticketing network covering Europe and the United States.

Vivendi Create Joy celebrated its 10th anniversary. Vivendi’s solidarity program, focused on the Group’s businesses, reveals disadvantaged young people’s talent. (Photo: association Music for Youth in Great Britain)

2019

In January, Vivendi acquired Editis, the second largest publishing group in France.

In September, Canal+ Group finalized the acquisition of M7, expanding its footprint into 7 new European countries and to nearly 2 million subscribers.

In September, Universal Music Group reissued The Beatles’ Abbey Road, 50 years after the release of this legendary album.

2020

In March, based on an enterprise value of €30 billion for 100% of Universal Music Group’s share capital, Vivendi completed the sale of 10% of the share capital of UMG to a Tencent-led consortium. The latter decided in December to exercise its option to acquire an additional 10% of UMG, a transaction completed in January 2021.

In April, Vivendi became Lagardère‘s largest shareholder with 27% of the share capital (December 2020).

One World: Together at Home, Global Goal: Unite for our Future, Ensemble à L’Olympia, My Earth Concert for Kids — Vivendi was behind, or was associated with, all of these great musical events as the Covid-19 pandemic affects the world.

2021

In January, Vivendi made an investment in Spanish-speaking leader in media and education Prisa for 9.9%.

In February, Vivendi announced it would examine the distribution of 60% of UMG‘s share capital to Vivendi’s shareholders and its listing on Euronext Amsterdam which took place on September 21.

At the end of May, Vivendi acquired Prisma Media, France’s first magazine publishing group, in print and digital.

On December 16, Vivendi announced that it owned 45.13% of the Lagardère share capital.