Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing Company

French media company Vivendi Universal, citing better results at its telecom, television and film units, reported strong gains in revenue and pretax profit in a preliminary earnings report, putting it on track to meet financial forecasts. Vivendi reported a 57% rise in earnings, before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, to $1.14 billion. Profit at its film and TV unit nearly tripled, thanks to the success of "The Mummy Returns."

French conglomerate Vivendi Universal has approved a $10-billion purchase of the entertainment assets of Barry Diller's USA Networks in a complex stock deal that puts the veteran entertainment mogul at the helm of one of Hollywood's hottest studios, a source close to the negotiations said Saturday.

To help build its image and identity in the U.S. market, French media giant Vivendi Universal is turning to a storybook character: Curious George. The mischievous primate of children's books has been making prominent appearances in full-page newspaper ads across the country in the last two weeks. The ads tout Vivendi Universal's acquisition of book publisher Houghton Mifflin, which publishes the Curious George books.

Vivendi Universal said it has completed the acquisition of San Diego-based MP3.com Inc. in a combined cash and stock transaction. MP3.com stockholders voted in favor of the merger transaction at a special meeting of stockholders held Monday. MP3.com was delisted from Nasdaq effective before opening for trading Tuesday. More than 68% of the more than 69 million shares outstanding were voted. Of those voting, more than 99% voted in favor of the merger. The corporate offices of MP3.

Vivendi Universal said it has completed the acquisition of San Diego-based MP3.com Inc. in a combined cash and stock transaction. MP3.com stockholders voted in favor of the merger transaction at a special meeting of stockholders held Monday. MP3.com was delisted from Nasdaq effective before opening for trading Tuesday. More than 68% of the more than 69 million shares outstanding were voted. Of those voting, more than 99% voted in favor of the merger. The corporate offices of MP3.

Vivendi Universal offered to buy the shares it doesn't own of StudioCanal, valuing its film production unit at $1.3 billion. Vivendi, which already owns about 86% of StudioCanal, offered $12.25 for each StudioCanal share, or 26% more than Wednesday's closing price.

Strengthening its presence in the U.S., Vivendi Universal, Europe's largest media company, agreed Friday to acquire Houghton Mifflin Co., one of the nation's last major independent book publishers, for $1.7 billion. The purchase of the world's fourth-largest educational publisher catapults Vivendi, which ranks fifth in the world in publishing, into the No. 2 spot after Pearson. The purchase is the latest U.S.

Vivendi Universal, Europe's largest advertising company, said it sold its 9.9% stake in Havas Advertising to institutional investors for 453 million euros ($384 million). The company said the sale would generate a one-time profit of 113 million euros. Vivendi Universal sold its stake in the No. 5 advertising company to help fund its $2.2-billion acquisition of Houghton Mifflin Co.

Vivendi Universal, Europe's biggest media company, said it owns about 90% of Houghton Mifflin Co. following its offer of $1.7 million in cash and assumed debt of $500,000 for the U.S. educational publisher. The French company said on June 1 it would offer $60 a share, and take on assumed debt from the Boston-based textbook publisher.

One of the largest blocks of Los Angeles area office space to be vacated by a retrenching dot-com company has been filled, the landlord said. The 100,000 square feet previously occupied by IXL Inc. at Howard Hughes Center in Westchester will be occupied by Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing, which sells entertainment and educational software. Vivendi signed a 10-year lease for the space at 6060 Center Drive, according to owner Arden Realty Inc.

French media company Vivendi Universal, citing better results at its telecom, television and film units, reported strong gains in revenue and pretax profit in a preliminary earnings report, putting it on track to meet financial forecasts. Vivendi reported a 57% rise in earnings, before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, to $1.14 billion. Profit at its film and TV unit nearly tripled, thanks to the success of "The Mummy Returns."

To help build its image and identity in the U.S. market, French media giant Vivendi Universal is turning to a storybook character: Curious George. The mischievous primate of children's books has been making prominent appearances in full-page newspaper ads across the country in the last two weeks. The ads tout Vivendi Universal's acquisition of book publisher Houghton Mifflin, which publishes the Curious George books.

Vivendi Universal, Europe's biggest media company, said it owns about 90% of Houghton Mifflin Co. following its offer of $1.7 million in cash and assumed debt of $500,000 for the U.S. educational publisher. The French company said on June 1 it would offer $60 a share, and take on assumed debt from the Boston-based textbook publisher.

Vivendi Universal offered to buy the shares it doesn't own of StudioCanal, valuing its film production unit at $1.3 billion. Vivendi, which already owns about 86% of StudioCanal, offered $12.25 for each StudioCanal share, or 26% more than Wednesday's closing price.

Vivendi Universal, Europe's largest advertising company, said it sold its 9.9% stake in Havas Advertising to institutional investors for 453 million euros ($384 million). The company said the sale would generate a one-time profit of 113 million euros. Vivendi Universal sold its stake in the No. 5 advertising company to help fund its $2.2-billion acquisition of Houghton Mifflin Co.

Strengthening its presence in the U.S., Vivendi Universal, Europe's largest media company, agreed Friday to acquire Houghton Mifflin Co., one of the nation's last major independent book publishers, for $1.7 billion. The purchase of the world's fourth-largest educational publisher catapults Vivendi, which ranks fifth in the world in publishing, into the No. 2 spot after Pearson. The purchase is the latest U.S.

French conglomerate Vivendi Universal has approved a $10-billion purchase of the entertainment assets of Barry Diller's USA Networks in a complex stock deal that puts the veteran entertainment mogul at the helm of one of Hollywood's hottest studios, a source close to the negotiations said Saturday.

One of the largest blocks of Los Angeles area office space to be vacated by a retrenching dot-com company has been filled, the landlord said. The 100,000 square feet previously occupied by IXL Inc. at Howard Hughes Center in Westchester will be occupied by Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing, which sells entertainment and educational software. Vivendi signed a 10-year lease for the space at 6060 Center Drive, according to owner Arden Realty Inc.