Louise Bernard
The Audiovisual and Digital Communication Regulatory Authority (Arcom) has given its agreement to the Altice group’s takeover of the TFX and 6ter channels, properties of the TF1 and M6 groups which wish to merge. Except that between them, the groups have three channels too many since the same audiovisual group can only hold seven national frequencies on DTT.
This is a step forward in the merger project between TF1 and M6, the Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication (Arcom) gives its agreement to Altice’s takeover of the TFX and 6ter channels. With one condition, the merger between the two groups must take place. These two groups, who currently own these channels, want to merge but between them they have three channels too many. French audiovisual regulations impose a maximum of seven per group.
Altice in exclusive negotiations for the acquisition of the channels
However, TF1 and M6 have ten channels. Altice is in exclusive negotiations to acquire them. The group owned by Patrick Drahi already owns BFMTV, its local and Business versions as well as the RMC Découverte, RMC Story and RMC Sport channels. However, if TF1 and M6 agree to want to sell these two channels, there will always be one frequency too many. M6 had announced its intention to restore the TNT channel of its Paris Première channel. An operation which will also have to be validated by Arcom.
The merger remains for the moment mainly suspended with the green light from the Competition Authority. Hearings will take place on Monday and Tuesday and the final decision is expected in October.