The logo of Universal Music Group is seen at a building in Zurich, Switzerland July 25, 2016. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
Vivendi is owned by French billionaire Vincent Bollore, who has positioned himself as a powerful right-wing media baron in recent years. But as it pivots towards other areas, Vivendi has already sold off a 20 percent stake of Universal to Chinese tech firm Tencent and 10 percent to US financier Bill Ackman.
It has secured agreement from its investors for a massive buyback of up to half its shares following the UMG flotation.