Canal+ and NRJ are not the only ones to see one of their antennas disappear in 2025. The RMC BFM group is preparing – of its own accord, difference in size with the two aforementioned groups – to close the BFM Paris channel Île-de-France. The end credits should be rolled out during the first half of the coming year, according to projections made in CSE on December 10, 2024 by Nicolas de Tavernost, president of RMC BFM and representative of the shareholder Rodolphe Saadé, and Jean- Philippe Baille, deputy general manager for information of the RMC BFM group.
“BFM Paris Île-de-France employees stunned”
This announcement was poorly received internally, “which left the employees of BFM Paris Île-de-France stunned“, pissed off the group's unions. In a joint press release published on the evening of December 11, the National Union of Journalists (SNJ) and the CGT RMC BFM denounced “contempt of management“, who they accuse of not having played fair.”'We are keeping the premises', assured Nicolas de Tavernost to the CSE on December 10. Thirty seconds later, he announced the closure of BFM Paris Île-de-France (…) The closure of the channel had been denied after the publication of a press article on November 28. Less than 15 days later, the fate of the channel is now sealed“, summarize the unions.
READ ALSO: BFM Paris Île-de-France will close in the first half of 2025
Given that the decision to close BFM Paris Île-de-France is based on economic considerations and in particular “financial losses“, and “job protection plan should logically have been triggered“But, the SNJ and the CGT are surprised, “management seems to be counting on the transfer clause to organize departures“. “This is unacceptable“, judge the two organizations, which “request the opening of negotiations to prepare for the departures of BFM Paris employees, with minimum compensation equal to that of the transfer clause accompanied by real reclassifications and support upon departure.
After BFM Paris Île-de-France, the unions are wondering about the future of BFM DICI, BFM Grand Littoral and BFM Toulon Var, which, according to “La Lettre”, could experience budget cuts. “'Nothing has been done', management tells us. In the same way as BFM Paris“, they ask themselves. “The employees of the premises concerned are very worried about the future. And the trust is clearly broken“, estimate the unions, who call, in conclusion, “the management, which remains silent to our proposals for meetings, to demonstrate transparency regarding its ambition for local information“. Asked by AFP about the future of BFM's other regional channels this Tuesday, December 10, management assured: “For the moment, we are not going any further“. Our ambition remains the same, to be a guarantee of proximity“.
Have discussions between management and the unions started since the publication of the press release? Contacted by Puremédiasthe RMC BFM group has, for the moment, not responded to our requests. According to our information, a meeting is planned between the two parties.
Arnaud de Courcelles, general manager of BFM Business, replaces Philippe Antoine after his departure from BFM Locales
In the meantime, the unions will have a new contact on this subject: RMC BFM announced, this Friday, December 13, 2024, the appointment of Arnaud de Courcelles as general director of BFM Locales. Successor to Philippe Antoine, who left the ship at the same time as the announcement of the plan to close BFM Paris, he also retains his role as general manager of BFM Business. Karim Oudjane has been appointed to the position of secretary general of information at RMC BFM. He will support and coordinate the editorial secretariats and in particular those of the BFM Locales, in conjunction with the general directors and under the authority of the deputy general director for information (Jean-Philippe Baille).
