PROPOSED MERGER BETWEEN THE TF1 AND M6 GROUPS: FRENCH COMPETITION AUTHORITY’S INVESTIGATION REPORT

The French Competition Authority’s investigation teams have issued their report on the proposed merger between the TF1 group and the M6 group.
In their report, which in no way predicts the final decision of the authority’s board, the investigation teams consider that the deal raises a number of significant competition concerns (especially in relation to the advertising market).

The nature and extent of the remedies required in the report would mean that the merger plans would no longer be meaningful for the parties involved and they would therefore abandon them.

The parties, who do not intend to make any changes to their original plans, will inform the authority of their response within the next three weeks; hearings will take place before the French competition authority’s board on 5 and 6 September.