TF1, France Télévisions, M6 and several organizations come together to defend audiovisual media

Against a backdrop of competition from platforms, large chains and main organizations in the sector are creating an association to defend the French audiovisual industry. Publicity stunt or future lobbying tool?

« For the M6 ​​group to come here, it’s a solemn moment! », Exclaimed, ironically, Guillaume Charles, director of antennas and content of the M6 ​​group, while he spoke on Wednesday morning in the vast auditorium of TF1, the historic rival. Could the situation be this serious for the French channels? We even saw Delphine Ernotte, president of the public group France Télévisions, speaking at the lectern adorned with the “TF1” acronym. A scent of sacred union between private and public groups floated on November 13 during the press conference dedicated to the launch of a new audiovisual association, where yesterday's enemies displayed an unprecedented common front. “Consensual and collective dynamic”, “offensive project”, “union of good will” : rarely have we seen the heavyweights of the PAF use a vocabulary that the crisis Prime Minister Michel Barnier would not deny.

Against a backdrop of uncertainties over the financing of public broadcasting, hyper competition with major media such as YouTube or Netflix, the leaders of TF1, France Télévisions, M6, accompanied by producers' unions (SPI, Uspa, AnimFrance) and main organizations (Sacem, SACD, Scam, Adami) have officially given birth to a new association called La Filière audiovisuelle (LaFA). Chaired for two years by Rodolphe Belmer, CEO of TF1 and initiator of the project, and while Delphine Ernotte is one of the vice-presidents, the collective brandishes the defense of “the French cultural exception”, and aims to have influence over those who issue audiovisual regulations – starting with the government, the Parliament, or the European Commission.

A common manifesto

“The audiovisual sector is a very important economic sector: 300,000 people work there, that’s more than the automobile industry,” recalled Rodolphe Belmer. “Tectonic movements are at work today and are shaking up our sector,” he warned. Among them: the boom in televisions connected to the Internet (80% of French people are equipped with them), the breakthrough of platforms (Netflix, Amazon, etc.), new uses of television consumption on smartphones and tablets, the public's appetite for social networks and their short videos (on TikTok, Instagram, etc.), or the rise of artificial intelligence.

To respond to this, the powerful TV behemoths now allied in La Filière audiovisuelle are publishing a joint manifesto. Arte should “ quickly » join the ball, but not Canal+, although a major player in the sector. “LaFa is family. We love each other, we adore each other, we argue with each other, but in the end we know what is most important to us.” summarized Patrick Raude, general secretary of the SACD (Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers). More important? High funding for public broadcasting (in the middle of a debate in the National Assembly) and the lifting of advertising restrictions for private free-to-air DTT channels, indicates the text.

This manifesto emphasizes the need to“direct national advertising resources towards national media”while YouTube, which does not have the same regulatory obligations – the platform does not participate in investment in creation – is eating into the market. No question, recalled Delphine Ernotte, that France Télévisions is asking the government for authorization to broadcast more advertising on its channels. “We have to stick together. It’s not by taking from one to give to the other that we’re going to get out of this,” she said, suggesting “to seek additional wealth rather than stealing from someone else’s plate”.

The new association has listed other objectives: guaranteeing budgetary autonomy and the missions of the CNC, defending the compensation scheme for intermittent workers in the entertainment industry, the remuneration of artists, actors, composers, etc. In the face of American platforms, it is calling for “guarantee fair treatment with television channels”. “It’s important to speak with one voice together: it’s the way to be heard in Europe,” insisted Delphine Ernotte, indicating her desire to “ rebalance the balance of power between French media and global media ».

What could viewers gain from this new lobbying body? The defense of national creation, the quality of information, fiction, documentaries or animated films, have challenged the protagonists. It is launching a study on the economic weight of French audiovisual, and will publish a white paper next spring with recommendations. Publicity stunt or future powerful lobbying tool? Announced on the day when Donald Trump intends to appoint Elon Musk, owner of the social network “toxic platform” par The Gardian –the French initiative took on the appearance of resistance.