Vivendi-owned NBC in for Eidos?

News

Neil Long Apr 17 2008, 10:13am

Newspaper report points toward US giant taking major chunk of troubled UK publisher

The Daily Mail reports that Eidos parent SCi is involved in dual discussions with existing ten per cent shareholder Time Warner and a new suitor - NBC Universal.

Vivendi Universal's games division is currently involved in the merger of Activison, while the umbrella company already owns 20 per cent of NBC Universal.

SCi CEO Phil Rogers is believed to be close to hatching a deal with one of the two firms, with the outcome believed to be between an increased stake for ten per cent shareholder Time Warner or NBC Universal to take a surprise holding in the Britsoft firm.

NBC Universal is perhaps most famous for its line-up of high profile US TV properties, which include Heroes, The Office, Law and Order, My Name is Earl and Saturday Night Live.

SCi CEO Phil Rogers told MCV recently that the firm was ready to move brand, marketing and PR responsibilities into its key studios, just one part of a re-structuring that will see the workforce cut by around a quarter.

The plans to revive the company come after its shares tumbled from 520p last July to just 64p yesterday.