French conglomerate Vivendi acquires controlling stake in Italian film company Lucky Red

The French media conglomerate Vivendi has officially taken control of one of the icons of Italian independent cinema. Through its subsidiary, StudioCanal, which belongs to the Canal+ group, it purchased a 51% stake in the Rome-based company Lucky Red. The transaction, confirmed by industry news services, gives Vivendi a controlling stake in the Italian company founded in 1987 by Andrea Occhipinti and Kermit Smith. For decades, Lucky Red has specialized in the distribution and production of auteur and independent films, being a leading player in this field in Italy. The company also operates in television production.

The takeover is seen as another step in the ongoing process of consolidation in the European film and media industry. The Italian daily "Il Fatto Quotidiano" commented sharply on the event, portraying it as an act of expansion by French capital at the expense of local, independent entrepreneurship. An article in this newspaper suggests this is part of a broader expansion strategy led by Vivendi's chairman, Vincent Bolloré. The remaining 49% stake in Lucky Red remains in the hands of the co-founders and existing shareholders, indicating a partnership model rather than a full absorption. Consolidation in the European media and entertainment market has intensified in the 21st century, especially under the influence of digitization, globalization, and growing competition from American streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. Major international conglomerates like Vivendi, Bertelsmann, or the M6 Group are systematically expanding their portfolios by acquiring or forming alliances with local companies to gain access to content, markets, and talent, and to better compete with overseas giants.

„Si tratta dell'ennesimo vorace boccone della multinazionale francese ai danni di una società nazionale, in questo caso italiana, indipendente.” (This is yet another voracious bite by the French multinational at the expense of a national, in this case Italian, independent company.) — Il Fatto Quotidiano The financial details of the transaction, including its valuation, have not been publicly disclosed by either party. Vivendi's decision to enter the Italian market through StudioCanal fits into the group's broader strategy of strengthening its position in key European audiovisual markets. For Lucky Red, a partnership with such a powerful group could mean greater funding opportunities for production and broader access to international distribution markets. At the same time, it raises questions about the future artistic independence of the Italian company and the direction of its development under the wing of the French conglomerate.

Perspektywy mediów: Italian media, such as Il Fatto Quotidiano, portray the transaction in a negative light as another act of expansion by foreign capital, threatening local, independent cultural entrepreneurship. International industry portals, such as Variety or The Hollywood Reporter, report the event as a neutral business decision, part of a logical market consolidation in the face of global competition.