October 17, 2001


Partnership agreement between Luc Besson, Vivendi Universal, CANAL+ and Digital Factory

Luc Besson, Vivendi Universal, CANAL+ and Digital Factory today signed an agreement which illustrates the part that Vivendi Universal and CANAL+ intend to play in encouraging the film industry in Europe and artistic creation of every type.

The partnership agreement covers two main aspects:

- Vivendi Universal becomes the preferred partner of Digital Factory, which will begin building Europe's most technologically advanced digital mixing studio in January 2002. Founded by Luc Besson, Digital Factory follows the example of George Lucas's Skywalker Ranch in California as a place where artists and technicians from both the film and music worlds can work in the best possible conditions. They have available auditoriums, mixing rooms and digital equipment.

Digital Factory will be used on a non-exclusive basis by Universal Music Group, CANAL+ and Universal Studios Group. Digital Factory will be located in Normandy, France, and will be a unique facility in Europe for the film, music and television industries.

- Luc Besson has concluded a three-year agreement with CANAL+ covering the sale of the broadcast rights for the next 10 films of his production company, Europa Corp. All of Europa Corp.'s films have been box-office hits, including Taxi 2, Yamasaki, 15 août, and Kiss Of The Dragon.

Europa's next 10 productions include the next full-length film to be directed by Luc Besson, as well as Taxi 3, Fanfan La Tulipe, Michel Vaillant,
The Transporter, Special Police, two animated films (Arthur and Ektor) and Le Bonheur ne Coûte Rien.

'The partnership formed today between Digital Factory and Vivendi Universal, which has a reputation for top quality music and movies, brings together shared strengths and interests to create an exceptional facility,' said Luc Besson. 'The sale of broadcast rights puts the seal on a long history of cooperation with CANAL+, and more especially, with Pierre Lescure. For the last several years, we have worked on a film-by-film basis. This time we decided to take our collaboration a step further and to sign a comprehensive agreement on clearly identified projects. This will give CANAL+ better visibility for its film supplies, and enable Europa to carry out an ambitious production program in full peace of mind. The agreement is the fruit of mutual respect and shared confidence. Other than the 10 films that have been named, CANAL+ will also have priority on the rights for all other films that we will produce or
co-produce for the next three years.'

Commented Jean-Marie Messier, Chairman and CEO of Vivendi Universal: 'I am proud and happy that Luc Besson has chosen Vivendi Universal. It's a potent sign of our capacity to attract top talent, whether from France or elsewhere. This partnership is all the more exciting in that it covers film, music and television activities. I'm sure that Universal Music Group, CANAL+ and Universal Studios Group will take full advantage of the wonderful creation facility that Digital Factory will be. I'm also delighted that CANAL+ has bought the broadcast rights to the next 10 Europa productions, which I think will be yet another source of satisfaction for CANAL+'s subscribers. Congratulations to Pierre and all his teams.'


Communication Departments:

Vivendi Universal
Catherine Gros
01-71-71-10-27
Antoine Lefort
01-71-71-11-80
Alain Delrieu
01-71-71-10-86

CANAL+
Sylvie Ruggieri
01-44-25-16-75
Laurence Gallot
01-44-25-19-42