• View Comments
• Share with Shortlink:

Vivendi Universal’s stock rose today after reports

claiming the world’s second-largest media group was in talks to sell its music

division.

Vivendi Universal, which includes such labels

as Def Jam, MCA, Motown, Universal Records and Interscope and is also home to

such acts as Ashanti, Ja-Rule, Eminem, Nelly, 50 Cent, Limp Bizkit, Elton John,

U2, Shania Twain and countless others, is allegedly being offered as much as

$6 billion dollars for the music division.

Universal Chairman Doug Morris and Interscope

chief Jimmy Iovine allegedly approached Microsoft, in hopes of finding an investor

to take over the business.

Apple is reportedly making their bid for the

company to secure contnet for a new music service. Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs has

had been in contact with Vivendi’s chairman, Jean-Marie Messier.

Neither Microsoft or Apple representatives would

neither confirm nor deny that the company would make a run at Universal’s music

division.

In addition to Vivendi Universal, AOL Time Warner,

Bertelsmann and the EMI Group are all contemplating the sales of their music

divisions.