French utility, Vivendi, has acquired United States-based entertainment giant Universal in late 2000. Thus renamed Vivendi Universal has become a major force in music, movies and television programs, adding to its European-based cable television and telecommunications assets. By the end of 2001, Vivendi Universal was betting on further convergence of distribution channels to connect with an international conglomerate of entertainment. His plans will put Vivendi Universal in direct competition with the established entertainment giants such as Disney, Viacom, and the combined AOL Time Warner. "Hide
by Robert A. Burgelman, Philip Meza Source: Stanford Graduate School of Business 22 pages. Publication Date: November 9, 2001. Prod. #: SM96-PDF-ENG
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