TF1, M6 to axe joint channel

French broadcasters TF1 and M6 are to close their 50/50 joint-venture channel TF6, which was available on cable and satellite as well as on the pay TV offering of the country’s DTT platform.

According to reports in newspaper Les Échos, the channel will stop transmitting at the end of the year.

TF6 originally focused on series and tried to become a mini generalist channel, but many other networks, including free-to-air ones, have followed that model in recent years.

The channel has been losing money for the four years, falling €1m (US$1.4m) into the red last year on revenue of €17m, according to reports.

In addition, the pay side of the DTT platform has never taken off in France, although the FTA offering has done well.

Several channels have already left DTT pay TV, including Canal J and AB1, while M6’s Paris Premiere, Canal+’s Planète+ and TF1’s LCI are all applying for FTA licences instead.