While Webedia is going through a crisis marked by the departure of its general director, financial problems and strategic failures, the future of the group seems to be uncertain. Although it is still difficult to have a clear vision in the medium term, these difficulties could potentially have major repercussions on French esports, of which it is a central player.
A pivotal period for Webedia and French esports
Webedia, a pillar of digital media in France, is going through a deep crisis which could potentially, ultimately, redefine its future. The departure of Cédric Siré, co-founder and general manager, illustrates a strategic questioning for a group marked by ambitious choices, but sometimes poorly controlled. Long a central player in French esports, thanks to flagship initiatives such as the French League of Legends (LFL) and MGG TV, Webedia sees its leadership role weakened. These internal difficulties raise questions about the sustainability of its esports projects and their potential repercussions on the French ecosystem.
Webedia is currently facing major problems. The departure of Cédric Siré in January 2025, after years at the head of the group, marks an important turning point for the company. This withdrawal, more or less forced by the situation, follows the failure of negotiations for a sale or a partnership which could have made it possible to stabilize the group’s finances. This crisis results from a set of financial and strategic difficulties.
Problematic drops in advertising revenue
For several years, Webedia has had to deal with declining advertising revenues, a problem that has become common for digital media. This fall was accentuated by the rise of social networks and the evolution of digital uses, which redirect advertising budgets towards other players. With projects requiring significant investments, particularly in esports, this loss of profitability has weakened the situation. Esports is a prominent example. Webedia has invested massively to structure this sector in France, with successes such as the LFL. However, certain initiatives, such as the MGG TV channel, although essential for the visibility of competitions, particularly on Counter-Strike, are costly and rely on a limited audience, which complicates their profitability.
In addition, the diversification strategy adopted by Webedia aimed to position the group as a key player in various sectors such as cinema, cooking (with 750g) and esports. While this approach has made it possible to extend its influence, it has not always produced the expected results, with some projects proving very costly and unprofitable.
Concerns for the LFL?
The failure in the search for a buyer in 2024 also revealed deeper problems: accumulated debts, projects with low return on investment, and internal organization weighed down by too broad diversification. At the same time, competition makes it harder to stay competitive. The departure of Cédric Siré, which would only be the beginning of the collapse of the house of cards, has revived fears of a social plan which could affect emblematic projects like the LFL or MGG TV. The uncertainty over the direction of the group adds to this concern, with possible consequences for employees and for the French esports ecosystem.
If Webedia were to reduce its investments, the consequences could be serious. The LFL, for example, could lose quality or even disappear, although this scenario remains pure speculation at this stage. For teams, players and sponsors, who directly depend on this structure, this could mean a loss of support or visibility. Can we say that Webedia is at a critical crossroads? The decisions taken in the coming months could not only redefine the future of the group, but also that of French esports. Disengagement would leave a void that is difficult to fill and would call into question many initiatives that have contributed to the development of this sector.
