French Watchdog Cites “Significant” Concerns Over TF1-M6 Merger

The French competition authority (Autorité de la Concurrence) has issued its report regarding the proposed merger between Groupe TF1 and Groupe M6, citing that the transaction raises “significant competition concerns,” in particular for the advertising market.

The two companies maintain that the report does not prejudge the final decision by the Board (Collège) of the authority.

“The nature and scope of the remedies required in the report of the case team would render the parties’ proposal irrelevant, in which case the parties would withdraw it,” the companies said.

The parties intend to maintain their proposal as presented and will respond to the competition authority within the next three weeks.

The hearings before the Board of the French competition authority are scheduled for September 5 and 6, 2022.