Antitrust Authority Approves Salto

France Televisions, M6 and TF1’s Joint Platform Project

Regulatory News:

M6 Metropole Television (Paris:MMT):

Following the favourable opinion from the CSA (the French audiovisual regulator) on July 17th 2019 and the authorisation issued today by the French Competition Authority, the TF1, M6 and France Télévisions groups announce that the Salto joint venture will be able to start operations. Salto’s commercial offer is due to be launched in the first quarter of 2020.

The project will be developed in compliance with the commitments given to the Competition Authority.

The launch of Salto will represent a major milestone for the French audiovisual sector challenged by head-on competition from international platforms. With Salto, the France Télévisions, M6 and TF1 groups will pool their resources in an ambitious local response to evolving consumers expectations, while further strengthening their active participation in the French and European creative industries.

Delphine Ernotte Cunci, CEO of France Télévisions says: “Now that Salto has been approved, we will at last be able to put together Team France in broadcasting, which I have been longing for. The launch of the platform will very soon give us what we need to compete against international players on our own territory. And it will be a new way for the French and European creative industries to engage with their public.”

Gilles Pélisson, CEO of the TF1 group says: “I am pleased that this project is becoming a reality, embodying as it does a new ambition for the French broadcasting industry. The Antitrust Authority’s ruling is a very positive sign, as it demonstrates that the authorities awareness for the need to support and accompany industry players in making the necessary innovative changes in order to face new challenges.”

Nicolas de Tavernost, Chairman of the Executive Board of M6 Group says: “This ruling finally gives us the opportunity to work together to develop an offer and a platform that are in phase with changing usage. Our channels are popular with French people, our content is attractive and our technology is very advanced: all reasons to welcome the forthcoming launch of an ambitious joint offer like Salto.”

About the TF1 group
The TF1 group is a French private-sector television broadcaster with five free-to-air channels (TF1, TMC, TFX, TF1 Séries Films and LCI) and the pay-TV theme channels TV Breizh, Histoire, Ushuaïa and Serieclub (the last of which is 50% owned). The Group is adding a highly effective digital dimension to its channels on MYTF1, and video-on-demand offers via MYTF1VOD and TFOU MAX.