Bertelsmann chief seeks to revive €3.6bn French TV merger

In 2022, TF1 and M6 had abandoned a first draft merger after a decision by the Autorité de la concurrence.

According to the Financial Times on Tuesday 22 April, the owner of the sixth channel, the German Bertelsmann group, wishes to study again the feasibility of a rapprochement with the subsidiary of Bouygues.

Thomas Rabe, CEO of Bertelsmann, said he was ready to reconsider the proposed merger, "as soon as regulators indicate that they are willing to take a more open approach."

Bertelsmann Boss Wants To Revisit $4.1B Merger Between French Nets TF1 And M6

Bertelsmann CEO Thomas Rabe wants to revive the failed merger of French nets TF1 and M6. Speaking to the FT, Thomas Rabe said that softening European regulation meant he will exploring how to revive the merger, which would have brought his RTL-owned M6 together with Bouygues-owned commercial broadcaster group TF1. The previous attempt to bring […]

Bertelsmann chief seeks to revive €3.6bn French TV merger

Thomas Rabe hopes that softening EU regulation will allow him to revisit a tie-up between broadcasters M6 and TF1

The merger between TF1 and M6, which was buried in 2022, could well see a spectacular rebound. The German group Bertelsmann, M6's parent company, is seriously considering reinvigorating this rapprochement, provided that European regulators are more favourable to the creation of a French giant capable of competing with American streaming platforms. Why is Bertelsmann reinvigorating the idea of a TF1-M6 merger? Thomas Rabe, CEO of the conglomerate…