The takeover of M6 will not take place. Until this weekend, the Bertelsmann group, which owns the French channel via its shareholder RTL Group, had the choice between three tempting offers. But, this Monday, October 3, all were rejected. In question, the regulations which required the channel to make a decision in just one month.
It is to believe that the fate is relentless against M6. After the aborted merger project with TF1, the French channel still had the possibility of being bought out by other entities. Three to be exact, each going with their tempting proposition. But, this Monday, October 3, all fell into the water. Indeed, the Bertelsmann group, current owner of M6, had no choice but to give up the sale of the channel.
“We received three offers, all of them of high quality”, said Nicolas de Tavernost, chairman of the management board of M6. ” Our shareholder RTL Group, in consultation with us, nevertheless considered that it was necessary to work better in stability given a complex regulatory framework. I am very happy to continue the adventure with RTL Group which has accompanied our success story for 35 years”.
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The takeover of M6 will not take place
So what is this ” vscomplex regulatory framework” mentioned by Nicolas de Tavernost? We told you about it a few days ago, M6 had a very tight schedule to make its decision. In question, the regulations imposed by the Competition Authority and by Arcom which, with a view to renewing the authorization to broadcast the channel on DTT in May 2023, obliged M6 to give its answer before the end of the month of October.
Of the “legal risks and uncertainties” judged ” too high “ by Thomas Rabe, CEO of Bertelsmann, who decided to cut short the negotiations, despite proposals that would have significantly increased the group’s share in the French chain. “I am delighted to see the interest in our group. He was very strong”commented Nicolas de Tavernost.“The group will remain the pivot of a consolidation of the French television industry. We remain attractive to local and international partners. »
Source: Le Figaro