RTL Group ‘exploring M6 sale’

European media giant RTL Group is reportedly seeking a buyer for its French broadcast group M6, with an asking price of around €3bn (US$3.6bn).

RTL Group’s HQ in Luxembourg (photo: Eric Steichen)

RTL Group’s parent company, Bertelsmann, has approached potential bidders for its controlling 48% stake in M6 Group, including TF1 Group, Mediaset, Vivendi and Altice, according to Reuters.

Over the weekend, RTL Group responded to speculation about the sale by repeating its belief that there is a “strong case” for consolidation in the European broadcasting sector.

“RTL Group reviews such options on an ongoing basis with a view to creating value for its shareholders. There can be no certainty that this may lead to any type of agreement or transaction,” the firm added.

M6 Group has been part of RTL Group, owner of Fremantle, since its inception in 1987. A full sale of RTL’s 48% stake in M6 would see Bertelsmann exit the French market, having sold its print media group Prisma to Vivendi in December.

In 2019, fellow French media group Lagardère sold its TV channels to M6 for €215m, with the latter taking over kids’ channel Gulli along with Canal J, TiJi, Elle Girl TV, MCM, MCM Top, RFM TV and associated advertising sales activities.

As well as M6 in France, RTL Group’s television portfolio includes RTL Television in Germany, the RTL channels in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Croatia and Hungary, and Antena 3 in Spain.