The proposed merger between TF1 and M6 has taken a decisive step at this time with the tip of the hearings of the events by the Autorité de la concurrence

The proposed merger between TF1 and M6 has taken a decisive step at this time with the tip of the hearings of the events by the Competitors Authority however, in response to a number of sources, the concessions to authorize the operation could possibly be a lot bigger than anticipated. . So as to be celebrated at first of 2023, the wedding should completely be accepted by the faculty of this establishment made up of specialists in competitors regulation and representatives of the financial world. He’ll determine in mid-October.

In line with a supply aware of the matter, the 2 tv teams didn’t arrive in conquered territory on Monday.

The Authority’s investigation providers first reiterated their place on the finish of July, when submitting their conclusions to the faculty: it’s relatively unfavorable and with out “actual change”, regardless of the concessions since provided by the chains. , judged this supply.

The Bouygues group (proprietor of TF1) is notably provided to resell the M6 ​​channel: an unacceptable “treatment”, whereas the 2 corporations want to be part of forces to higher resist competitors from streaming gamers (Netflix, Disney, Amazon and even Youtube and Tiktok).

Netflix, which desires to launch a less expensive supply financed by promoting this yr, might rapidly develop into the 4th French TV community, with 200 million euros in annual income, in response to a research printed on Tuesday by the agency NPA Conseil on the premise of knowledge from the American press.

The resale of M6 additionally has the help of some opponents of the merger challenge, who might place themselves to purchase the channel.

A number of media magnates had tried in early 2021 to purchase from the RTL group (managed by the German Bertelsmann), together with Vincent Bolloré (through Vivendi), Xavier Niel and the Czech entrepreneur Daniel Kretinsky. The curiosity of Mediaset, managed by Silvio Berlusconi, can be talked about.

The Bouygues group, represented by its president Martin Bouygues and its normal supervisor Olivier Roussat, in addition to the CEO of TF1 Gilles Pélisson, had been interviewed at size on Tuesday. Their arguments had been primarily addressed to members of the faculty from the personal sphere, together with representatives of Plastic Omnium, Eutelsat, Tikehau Capital or Atos, doubtlessly extra inclined to pragmatism than to strict compliance with competitors guidelines.

The wedding of the primary and third channels of the French audiovisual panorama would create a juggernaut, overtaking France TV with greater than 30% of viewers share and representing three-quarters of the tv promoting market. The federal government will in the end have the potential of overriding a refusal by the Authority, if it justifies its resolution on grounds of normal curiosity.