Music Business News: France

UMG more in thrall to Vincent Bolloré as his Vivendi stake tops 20%

French businessman will receive 29% voting rights at Vivendi next year

France now counts streaming towards certified ‘sales’ awards

'Stream-equivalent' formula introduced for Gold, Platinum and Diamond awards

Deezer becomes stronger rival to Spotify with renewed Orange deal in France

Telco signs up for another two years after Access takes majority control

Universal spent $38m on restructuring in the first half of 2016

UMG completes move away from 'US'/'rest of the world' global setup

Major labels generated $5bn in first half of 2016 – as Universal took lion’s share

Universal's streaming market share is greater than its overall holding

Universal is now making $28m every week from streaming, but downloads are down 29%

Streaming now equates to 36% of UMG's recorded music revenues

Believe Digital buys French independent Naive for $12m

Believe understood to have pipped Sony Music Entertainment to the deal

Warner Music France gives Nous Productions to Live Nation

Nous to join Live Nation France from October 1