Altice Media set to buy two DTT channels from TF1, M6 if merger is approved

US sitcom Modern Family

Altice Media is set to acquire the French free-to-air channels TFX and 6ter from TF1 Group and M6 Group, should their merger go through.

The proposed merger between TF1 Group and M6 Group is set to create a new French broadcast giant.

However, competition rules mean the combined entity cannot own more than seven national DTT channels, which has resulted in TF1 Group and M6 Group looking to offload TFX and 6ter, respectively.

Altice is now in exclusive negotiations with the two to buy the channels if the proposed merger, which has been approved by both companies’ employee representative bodies, is authorised. Financial details were not disclosed.

Both TFX and 6ter are set to remain under full control of their current owners throughout 2022 while the merger goes through its lengthy regulatory approval process.

M6 Group said the completion of the merger is expected at the beginning of 2023, while it also plans to return the DTT frequency of cable and satellite channel Paris Première, after approval by regulatory authority ARCOM.

TFX was created in 2007 as part of the rollout of DTT in France and was originally called NT1 and owned by AB Groupe. It was renamed when it was bought by TF1 Group in 2010 and given an editorial makeover in 2018, becoming an entertainment channel aimed at young women.

In 2021, the channel attracted an average of 39.9 million viewers a month and ranked as France’s third most popular DTT channel among women under 50 with a 3.4% audience share.

6ter launched at the end of 2012 and has aired a host of US series, including Fresh Off the Boat, Modern Family, Once Upon a Time and Jane the Virgin.

TF1 Group also owns the FTA channels TF1, TMC, TF1 Séries Films and LCI, while M6 Group also owns M6 and W9. Altice Media operates FTA channels BFM TV, RMC Story and RMC Découverte.