07-02-2023, 11:39 PM
Next week, the Arcom will review the licenses currently held by TF1 and M6 through various hearings. Although it is widely expected TF1 and M6 will retain and renew its existing licenses, unlike other occasions, where both licenses were unopposed and renewed by default, the equivalent of Ofcom in France has announced a competitive bid to take over either frequency, Six, from NJJ Projet 5255. This holding company is owned by Xavier Niel, who also owns Iliad and a stake on Mediawan, and has preferred interest in taking over M6's LCN.
According to the AFP, Six's programming will focus on three core remits: original programming (including focusing the early fringe of prime time to local productions by indie companies), news and current affairs (including a fully independent newsroom structure) and arts and culture content (including a strong focus on promoting and supporting French music and cinema. His bid has support from high-ranking French arts and entertainment figures and wants to launch a bursary to finance the co-production of French content.
www.ozap.com
After being announced as the opposing candidate to both channels, Niel didn't waste any time to mock M6's family-oriented populist content, by using a shot from Top Chef:
twitter.com
The hearings will take place on February 15: Niel's project will be presented at 9h15, with TF1 and M6 fighting for survival at 11h00 and 14h30, respectively. Each hearing will be broadcast on Arcom's website and recorded for on demand access.
Even if Niel fails to win over its incumbent license holders, he doesn't want to give up. He plans to challenge Canal+ when its terrestrial license is due for review in 2025; given its bad track record recently (including all the CNEWS scandals and controversies) as well as Bolloré's desires to focus on the pay-TV side of the business, this could be the momentum for him. However, if he gets any of the licenses, this could be a real shock, and we might see the biggest reorganization on French TV in decades. Worth noting too that TF1 and M6's current licenses are up on May 5, so, if Niel wins, he needs to work quickly to get the channel on air. But if it is status quo, no problems with that.
According to the AFP, Six's programming will focus on three core remits: original programming (including focusing the early fringe of prime time to local productions by indie companies), news and current affairs (including a fully independent newsroom structure) and arts and culture content (including a strong focus on promoting and supporting French music and cinema. His bid has support from high-ranking French arts and entertainment figures and wants to launch a bursary to finance the co-production of French content.
www.ozap.com
After being announced as the opposing candidate to both channels, Niel didn't waste any time to mock M6's family-oriented populist content, by using a shot from Top Chef:
twitter.com
The hearings will take place on February 15: Niel's project will be presented at 9h15, with TF1 and M6 fighting for survival at 11h00 and 14h30, respectively. Each hearing will be broadcast on Arcom's website and recorded for on demand access.
Even if Niel fails to win over its incumbent license holders, he doesn't want to give up. He plans to challenge Canal+ when its terrestrial license is due for review in 2025; given its bad track record recently (including all the CNEWS scandals and controversies) as well as Bolloré's desires to focus on the pay-TV side of the business, this could be the momentum for him. However, if he gets any of the licenses, this could be a real shock, and we might see the biggest reorganization on French TV in decades. Worth noting too that TF1 and M6's current licenses are up on May 5, so, if Niel wins, he needs to work quickly to get the channel on air. But if it is status quo, no problems with that.
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