According to CNN, the top adult film producer is currently in negotiations to enter a partnership with Universal Music Group and satellite broadcaster DirecTV to launch a music channel featuring uncensored videos.
According to reports, Universal and Vivid are discussing the option of splitting ownership of the business, although XBiz was unable to confirm the information with either company at the time of this printing.
If the deal moves forward, through an agreement with DirectTV, Universal and Vivid will launch a subscription-based channel intended to rival similar ventures in the music video space, including MTV Music and Hype TV, a new project backed by Sean "P. Diddy" Combs which recently signed a distribution deal with Playboy Enterprises.
DirectTV, owned by News Corp., currently lays claim to 12 million subscribers and is considered the largest satellite broadcaster in the industry.
According to CNN, the venture will be called "1 AM" and will also involve partnerships with the Endeavor talent agency and Shady Records, Eminem' s record label. Both Shady and Endeavor will share ownership of the channel, with Vivid and Universal taking the majority stake.
The deal is reportedly being helmed by Jimmy Iovine, Universal's chairman of Interscope label, and Ari Emanuel, a founding partner of Endeavor, according to CNN.
