Debevoise & Plimpton has helped secure client NBC TV exclusive negotiation rights in the highly-contested bidding war to acquire Vivendi Universal’s $14bn (£8.9bn) entertainment portfolio – one of the largest US deals of the year.

On 2 September NBC beat a consortium led by Vivendi vice-chairman Edgar Bronfman to enter into exclusive talks to purchase the French conglomerate’s Hollywood film studios and theme parks.