Orrick Advises Vivendi on Satellite TV Strategic Partnership in Poland


February.09.2012

Orrick teams from the Paris, London and New York offices advised Vivendi and its subsidiary, the French television network CANAL+ Group, on the development of a strategic partnership with a rival company in Poland.

The deal involves a 40 percent acquisition of a holding company (PTH), which will be the strategic partnership vehicle owning three different businesses, including the second-largest pay-TV platform in Poland, the second-largest free-to-air TV station and the largest Polish language Internet portal.  The acquisition enables Canal+ to consolidate its position in the local pay-TV market and enter the free-TV market.

The agreement signed December 19, 2011 is expected to close once antitrust approval is obtained.

Vivendi and the CANAL+ Group were advised by an Orrick team led by David Syed.