Vivendi chief Jean-Marie Messier is threatening not to contribute his 20% stake in UK satellite broadcaster BSkyB to Rupert Murdoch's planned digital distribution company Sky Global Networks, according to French reports.

Messier is understood to have told analysts that he would not sell his BSkyB stake unless he secures an active role for Vivendi's new interactive operations in Sky Global.

Financial daily Les Echos said: "Jean-Marie Messier confirmed this week he would participate in Sky Global only under certain conditions. He demanded an active role for Vivendi in the new company as well as the direction of management of interactive services."

Sky Global is to contain the spun-off global satellite TV operations of Murdoch's News Corp. Vivendi has reportedly been in talks about swapping its 20% stake in BSkyB for a 10% stake in Sky Global.