Viacom and Vivindi...

Well, I'm sure you guys have heard (on hear if no where else...) about the whole Vivindi Selling Universal think going on. Viacom is one of the bidders for it, and in all honesty, I could see that happening. On a side not, I thought it was funny that their main interest was to get the Sci-Fi Network just so they [Paramount, a Viacom Company] could show Star Trek on there...but anyways.

So here's the deal. If Viacom won the bid, and got control of Universal Studios, they would more than likely combine Universal Parks with Paramount Parks. I'm not saying its a sure thing that they would, but it seems feasable(sp?) that it would happen. So, having said that, do you think that would be a good thing or a bad thing? I mean, sure, Paramount Parks could just stop caring about IOA, Port Adventura, and Universal Studios Hollywood/Florida.

But, its also possible that they could learn a few things on themeing and such from their new accuisition(sp?).

Paramount Parks would then have access to Marvel Comics, more than likely, and we could see "The Mummy: The Ride" right along and themed with "Tomb Raider: The Ride" at some parks. It could happen that the person running the Universal Parks division could take over the top spot on Paramount's Parks, and make the theming, etc. better for the 5 North American Parks(not that I don't like them now, it's just that mostly their themeing is inconsistant, though PCar is heading in the right direction with that, and Sicne they re-themed their front interance, it seems very IOAish, though I've never actually been to IOA).

So what do you think? Good thing or Bad thing? What would you like to see/hope to see/expect to see if this happened?
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Beaver, The other White meat.

You could see it happening, but the analysts don't. They're pulling for Liberty Media.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Luau II Cam 7/19
DELETED! What time does the water show start?

Well, yes, actually, I kinda hope that they stay seperate. I was just reading in I think News Week, and that's why I thought of this post. It is a possibility, nothing more, but it could happen. I'd rather see whats his face from Vivindi get it, as at least he might keep things the same, park wise, and not try and forget about what seems to be a great park, before I get to visit.:)

But then again, I'm not an analyist, just work at a gas station...

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Beaver, The other White meat.

As a wish, it would be interesting, but the thing is that I bet we all would expect such a company to pour the kind of capital into seasonal, regional parks the same way they do Orlando, which obviously wouldn't make a ton of sense. I sure wouldn't mind Dueling Dragons at PKI. :)

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Luau II Cam 7/19
DELETED! What time does the water show start?

I sincerely doubt that Viacom will have enough money to satisfy Vivendi. I work for a company that was acquired by Vivendi, devalued within an inch of our lives, and then sold for scraps to a 'leveraged' group of investors. At this point, all VU cares about is money.

I'm not sure also what the due diligence is like in the world of Theme Parks and entertainment. Perhaps it will have to be a company with no theme park holdings due to anti-trust.

In the end Vivendi will take the money from the highest bidder and run. The only American interest they will hang onto is VU Games (aka Sierra) because they are revenue-producers.