Vivendi (first era)
1998-2000
Vivendi was created in 1997 from what used to be the Compagnie générale des eaux, an industrial conglomerate, which was transformed into a media company.
Vivendi Universal
2000–2006
In 2000, Vivendi purchased Seagram, which included Universal Studios and Universal Music Group. The company's name was then changed to Vivendi Universal.
Vivendi (second era)
2006–present
In October 8, 2003, Vivendi Universal agreed to merge its Vivendi Universal Entertainment subsidiary (excluding Universal Music) with General Electric's NBC, to form NBC Universal. This deal closed May 12, 2004. From 2004 to January 2011, Vivendi owned 20 percent of NBC Universal. In 2006, to reflect Vivendi Universal's reduced interest in Universal, the name was reverted back to simply Vivendi.
