We learned last week that the future of the Salto streaming service was more than uncertain. According to information from our colleagues from echoesthe fate of the platform would have been sealed on November 17 during a supervisory board meeting between France Télévisions, M6 and TF1, after which the latter two officially withdrew their participation.
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Without TF1 and M6 on board, all that remains is to wait for an official decision from France Télévisions, the service’s third largest shareholder. Salto’s horizon therefore seems to come down to a choice: sale or liquidation. However, it is unlikely that the group will reinject money into the hexagonal streaming service, with an initial budget of 135 to 250 million euros over three years, and which was still seeking profitability, with a turnover of only 17 million euros for 2021.
On the buyers’ side, Canal+ said it was interested in taking over the platform. But the encrypted channel, already in negotiations to acquire OCS, probably has better things to do than acquire a moribund service, even if that means stealing balls from TF1. International groups have also shown interest in the “French Netflix”, such as the Swedish Viaplay or the British Sky. Anyway, if a sale is made, it will be at a loss for TF1, M6 and France Télévisions.
What about programs?
Launched in August 2019, and offering a catalog of nearly 500 programs via a VoD/SVoD mix, the Salto platform can boast a more modest price than the competition (€7.99/month), and some great exclusives , such as the series Yellowstone, small axis, And Just Like That… or the events Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts and Friends: Homecoming. Despite these meager assets, Salto has never really been able to catch up in the platform war against the giants Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Canal+, especially since these different services are preparing to offer more affordable packages with advertising.
According to observers, a total (and simpler) sale to a third party would be preferred, which would preserve the position of the 250 people working for the service, including 70 employees. To be continued then.