<PAGE> 1
Filed by The Seagram Company Ltd.
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
are deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
under the Securities Exchange act of 1934
Subject Company: The Seagram Company Ltd.
Commission File No. 1-2275
and
Subject Company: Canal Plus S.A.
Commission File No. 82-2270
Date: October 19, 2000
THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE DISSEMINATED BY
THE SEAGRAM COMPANY LTD. ON OCTOBER 19, 2000
Media Relations:
Mia Carbonell
212/572-7556
Anita M. Larsen
212/572-1118
Investor Relations:
Joseph M. Fitzgerald
212/572-7282
Eileen McLaughlin
212/572-8961
CANADIAN HERITAGE AND INDUSTRY CANADA
APPROVE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION OF
VIVENDI, SEAGRAM AND CANAL+
-----------------------------------------------------------
MONTREAL, October 19, 2000 - Vivendi [NYSE: V] and The Seagram Company Ltd.
[NYSE: VO] announced today that they have obtained approval relating to the
proposed strategic business combination among Vivendi, Seagram and Canal+ from
the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister of Industry Canada, as
required under the Investment Canada Act.
The parties have also received antitrust clearances for the transaction from the
European Commission, appropriate U.S. antitrust authorities and the Canadian
Competition Bureau.
In addition, the French audiovisual authority (CSA) has indicated that it would
not oppose the transaction.
# # #
The Seagram Company Ltd., headquartered in Montreal, operates in four global
business segments: Music, Filmed Entertainment, Recreation and Other, and
Spirits and Wine. Universal Music Group, the world's largest recorded music
company, produces, markets and distributes recorded music throughout the world
in all major genres, and it is engaged in music publishing. The Company's Filmed
Entertainment business produces and distributes motion picture, television and
home video products worldwide; operates and has ownership in a number of
international cable channels; and engages in the licensing of merchandising
rights and film property rights. The Recreation and Other
<PAGE> 2
- 2 -
- more -
business operates theme parks and retail stores. It is also involved in the
development of entertainment software. The Spirits and Wine business is engaged
principally in the production and marketing of distilled spirits, wines,
coolers, beers and mixers throughout more than 190 countries and territories.
The Company's corporate website is located at www.seagram.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe
harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs and
are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release address the
business combination of Vivendi, Canal+ and Seagram. The following factors,
among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements: the risk that the Vivendi, Canal+
and Seagram businesses will not be integrated successfully; costs related to the
combination; failure of the Vivendi, Canal+ or Seagram shareholders to approve
the combination; inability to further identify, develop and achieve success for
new products, services and technologies; increased competition and its effect on
pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues; inability to
establish and maintain relationships with commerce, advertising, marketing,
technology, and content providers. None of Vivendi, Canal+ or Seagram undertakes
any obligation to provide updates or to revise any forward-looking statements.
Investors and security holders are urged to read the joint proxy
statement/prospectus regarding the business combination transaction referenced
in the foregoing information, when it becomes available, because it will contain
important information. The joint proxy statement/prospectus will be filed with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by Vivendi, Canal+ and Seagram.
Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the joint proxy
statement/prospectus (when it is available) and other documents filed by
Vivendi, Canal+ and Seagram with the Commission at the Commission's web site at
www.sec.gov. The joint proxy statement/prospectus and these other documents may
also be obtained for free from Vivendi, Canal+ and Seagram. Information
regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their
direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained
in the joint press release relating to the transaction filed with the Commission
by each of Vivendi and Seagram, on June 20, 2000.
