Vivendi in plan to acquire major Activision Inc. stake

Vivendi the Game Makers is in plans to obtain a controlling stake in Activision Inc. and unite the company with Vivendi Games in a contract that would form a competitor to Electronic Arts Inc. as the world's largest video game publisher.

After the acquisition of Activision Ind the Vivendi Games will hold 52% stake in a new company to be called Activision Blizzard. On that basis, Activision and Vivendi valued the combined company at $18.9 billion.

After the transaction closes, expected in the first half of 2008, Activision Blizzard will launch a $4 billion all-cash tender offer to purchase up to 146.5 million Activision Blizzard common shares at $27.50 each. Vivendi also has agreed to acquire an additional $700 million of newly issued Activision shares, giving Vivendi about a 68 percent stake in Activision Blizzard if the tender offer is fully subscribed.

The combined company is targeting pro forma operating income of $1.1 billion and pro forma earnings per share of more than $1.20 in calendar year 2009. The acquisition will make available Activision Blizzard with the most consolidate and broadest collection of interactive entertainment assets in the industry.

Activision Blizzard will continue to operate as a public company traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker ATVI.

The offer price is a 24 percent premium to Activision's closing price Friday of $22.15 per share.

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