Bercy's services are trying to tip the scales in favor of a TF1-M6 merger by considering the relevant TV advertising market more broadly.
But, according to information from Les Echos, the DGCCRF (Bercy service) would suggest that the two fiancés make one final major concession: the sale of TMC (TF1 group) or W9 (M6 group).
After the hearings before the competition authority, on September 5 and 6, the Bouygues group could send a new round of remedies in order to obtain consent.
But, the transfer of TMC or W9 would be a significant sacrifice.
Indeed, these two channels are the little sisters of the TF1 and M6 channels.
They perfectly complement their audiences by expanding to a younger audience and make it easier to amortize program purchases by serving as a second broadcast window.
At the start of the operation, the TF1 and M6 groups had estimated that the disposals of TMC or LCI (news channel) for the TF1 group and W9 for the M6 group would be considered a red line.
But, the merger may well be worth a final reversal.
