While the consolidation in European audiovisual experiences a return in force, TF1 could consider an acquisition of M6 if the opportunity arose.
The M6 and TF1 merger draft was a big subject in 2022, while the file was advancing to end up in the end on a failure in the face of regulations unfavorable to this type of operation, seeking to avoid the creation of a monopoly. The M6 group had also been sold later, without finding new takers, however. If we thought the subject closed, this is not completely the case.
Questioned by The Media Leader, Rodolphe Belmer, boss of TF1 affirms that “The analyzes that had led the group to want to merge with M6 are even more true today.“ The idea is to create an actor large enough to maintain an investment capacity capable of competing with platforms, while accelerating digital transformation. For the time being, very few actors can meet these objectives, and M6 would therefore be the obvious choice. If today, “The law prohibits any resale of the M6 group before 2028“Explains Rodolphe Belmer, he also recognizes that“If M6 returned for sale, we (tf1) would look“.
But could M6 seek again to sell? By announcing the annual results of the M6 group for 2024, the chain announced that it only represents only 7.8% of its annual audience share. By passing below 8%, the chain is therefore no longer subject to article 39 of the law of September 30, 1986, which wants that a hertzian chain whose average audience is greater than 8% of the total audience of televisions cannot be owned at more than 49 7% by a single shareholder. With this crossing below 8 %, the current majority shareholder of M6, Bertelsmann (RTL Group), would therefore be authorized to acquire 100 %, explained the letter A. The German media giant tried several times to sell its participation of 48.3 %to the capital of M6, and the fact of acquiring its full resale in 3 years could allow it interesting. It therefore seems that the idea of a sale is not completely buried, on one side as on the other.
This article was included on the Univers Freebox site
