Staff fears Viv U will sink Canal. (France).(Vivendi Universal, Canal Plus Group)

PARIS In a replay of angry protests outside Vivendi Universal's headquarters when Canal Plus Group topper Pierre Lescure was sacked last year, staff from the pay TV arm went on the warpath again last week.

But this time, instead of bemoaning the end of an era, they fear the end of the company is nigh. The axing of Lescure's successor, Xavier Couture, and the promotion of chief operating officer Bertrand Meheut by Viv U topper Jean-Rene Fourtou last week was seen as the beginning of the end of a group that was once French broadcasting's jewel in the crown.

"Nothing can save Canal Plus now," comments one gloomy staffer. "We are going to be rationalized out of existence."

Analysts, too, believe the appointment of Meheut signals Viv U's determination to …