Monday December 4, 2023

Planned Merger Would Create $4B French TV Giant

Equipe de France/Design: Alex Brooks
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Two French broadcasters have announced plans to merge into a $4.1 billion media company that would take over almost 70% of France’s broadcast advertising market.

If the merger between TF1 and M6 is approved — a process which could last as long as 18 months — it would form the largest broadcasting group in the country’s history, according to the French newspaper Le Figaro.

The deal is comparable to the planned Univision-Televisa merger that’s valued at $4.8 billion.

The consolidation is “an absolute necessity if the French audience and the industry as a whole are to continue to play a predominant role in the face of exacerbated international competition,” said M6 boss Nicolas de Tavernost.

The companies are no stranger to each other, and their sports connection runs deep.

  • TF1 and M6 are splitting broadcasts for the upcoming UEFA Euro tournament, repeating the co-operation of the 2016 tournament.
  • Both have domestic broadcast partnerships for France’s UEFA European Championship.
  • The pair’s partnerships also include the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and UEFA Nations League. TF1 has free-to-air rights for 28 matches in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

TF1 announced a four-year partnership with Spanish broadcasting group Mediapro last year, forming a new soccer channel airing top Ligue 1 matches. It also split the $15.8 million media rights for the 2022 UEFA Women’s European Championship with French network Canal+.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.

Las Vegas Gets MLS Recommendation From Key Team Owner

An MLS team in Las Vegas would give the league 31 teams.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

CFP Selection Turns Heads with Controversial Selection

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Lane Kiffin

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.
LSU Lady Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey reacts against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA Womens Basketball Final Four National Championship at American Airlines Center.
November 6, 2023

Who Is The Highest-Paid Women’s College Basketball Coach?

LSU rewarded Kim Mulkey after winning a national title after her second year leading the program.
The Pac-12’s Collapse Will Have Ripple Effects on College Basketball.
November 6, 2023

The Pac-12’s Collapse Will Have Ripple Effects on College Basketball

The existing Pac-12 host a college basketball season for the last time.
Favre Presley
November 3, 2023

Brett Favre Controversy Casts Shadow Over Mississippi Gubernatorial Race

Candidate Brandon Presley has made the scandal one of his talking points.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Wasserman
Multiple - USA Careers
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Saco Bay PT
Multiple - USA Careers
Detailed view of the new In-Season Tournament court before the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center.
November 30, 2023

New Orleans Pelicans Reportedly Headed For Local Television

The Pelicans could air games on over-the-air channel Fox 8.
LeBron-James
December 1, 2023

Would Disney's ESPN Walk Away From The NBA?

Will financial pressures impact the company's decision with a longtime partner?
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
Professional-Fighters-League
November 30, 2023

PFL, ESPN Agree on New Multiyear Broadcast Rights Deal

ESPN+ PPV will be the home of the PFL’s new Super Fight Division.
November 29, 2023

NASCAR Secures $7.7B Media Rights Deals

Amazon and Warner Bros. Discovery come on as new partners.
disney wbd
November 29, 2023

Disney, WBD Chiefs Lament New Sports Media Challenges

Zaslav, Iger point to heightened complexity of their sports media operations.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts tosses the ball to fans after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.
November 29, 2023

The Philadelphia Eagles Continue To Be NFL’s Biggest Draw

Philadelphia was once again in one of the NFL's most-watched games.