At RMC BFM, the social climate could deteriorate. Its new owner, Rodolphe Saadé, would have instructed his staff to close BFM Paris Île-de-France, one of the regional channels grouped within the BFM Régions brand. Noting, almost two months after Jean-Philippe Baille (deputy general manager for information at RMC BFM), took up his post, that this decision – like several others – had not been followed by effects, the billionaire would have repeated his request more firmly during a dinner.glacial“, says “La Lettre”, organized this Wednesday, November 20, 2024, on the sidelines of the Executive Committee of its subsidiary bringing together its press and audiovisual activities.
“Amazement” and “consternation”
This decision would be motivated by the deficit generated by this antenna in particular. Unlike the group's 9 other local channels, BFM Paris Île-de-France, created in 2016, “has lost two to three million euros per year since its launch by Patrick Drahi and Alain Weill“, recalls “The letter” in this article, which did not escape the CGT RMC BFM – CMA Media. The union questioned Rodolphe Saadé on X this Wednesday: “During your visit, we reached out to establish a peaceful and constructive social dialogue“, he rewound. “It is with amazement that we learn of your plan to close BFM Paris. Why choose the path of confrontation?“, asked its members.
The National Union of Journalists (SNJ) shares the “consternation“from his CGT counterparts:”The BFM Paris Île-de-France station would be threatened. After having undergone three reorganizations in four years, employees learned with dejection this morning in the press…“, deplore both organizations in form and substance in a joint press release entitled “Will BFM Paris close? Management must respond. “Especially, remind the unions, that BFM Paris-Île-de-France has not been spared by restructuring.”In four years, (the channel) has undergone a voluntary departure plan, three editorial reorganizations as well as profound changes in the way of working..
The latter would have contributed to the deterioration of the working conditions of employees. “The intensification of the workload and the confusing editorial shift have plunged employees into deep unease and a loss of professional sense. As highlighted by the expert report commissioned by the elected representatives of the CSE in last February Despite these changes, the editorial staff has always worked with determination and resilience to maintain a quality broadcast.“, insist the SNJ and the CGT who take Rodolphe Saadé at his word. “While (he) repeatedly insisted on wanting to keep all employees, this transfer clause (open from October 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025, editor's note) today seems to be disguised as a social plan for BFM Paris. She asks us about the group's ambitions for local branches“, conclude with concern the unions which “ask to be received as soon as possible by Rodolphe Saadé”.
BFM Paris, editorial line, Éric Brunet… The hot topics are piling up
This interview could also be an opportunity for the SNJ and the CGT to say a word about the independence charter, currently being negotiated with CMA Media. According to “L'informé”, the two unions asked to be received by Arcom on this issue in the face of “lack of dialogue“from management,”closed on topic“. The regulator spoke this Wednesday, November 27, with the Society of Journalists of BFMTV, opposed like the management to the creation of a block of news channels on TNT.
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Clearly, the hot topics are piling up. In addition to the plan to close BFM Paris Île-de-France, Rodolphe Saadé would not have hidden his impatience with “a transfer window that drags on“. With the exception of the arrival of Guillaume Daret, defector from France Télévisions who will host “BFM politique” from January 2025, no external recruitment has been announced since the change of shareholder. For example, relays “The letter “, “the businessman does not understand why the replacement of Éric Brunet (at the head with Alice Darfeuille of “20h Brunet” from Monday to Thursday between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., editor's note) is taking so long”.
Rodolphe Saadé would finally have been surprised by “editorial hesitation felt by the editorial staff of 300 journalists” of BFMTV. Fabien Namias, general director of BFMTV, announced upon his arrival, dixit “La Lettre”, “an inflection of the line: less buzz, less clash, more international“. But this promise could be thwarted by the audiences. For the first time this month (!), BFMTV, now in a challenger position, ranked ahead of CNews on a weekday this Thursday, November 21, 2024 (3.8 % against 3.7% for channel 16), day marked by… the enormous coverage of bad weather with snow in France.
