Vivendi Universal is reported to be considering two or three offers for its pay-TV operations in Benelux. But the bids are said to be considerably less than the conglomerate had hoped for and could see the break-up of the group into three separate operations.

Telecoms group Telnet in association with a number of cable network operators from the north of Belgium have apparently put together a bid worth Euros75m, a figure which compares with the Euros300m that Vivendi had hoped to raise from a disposal.

Another bid consortium is headed by Deficom, a venture capital firm that previously owned a stake in Canal Plus Poland. Its backers include cable operators from the Walloon south of Belgium and electricity utility Socofe.

According to local press reports, the Dutch cable group UPC is also said to be eyeing the Netherlands operations.