A page is turning at M 6. Without a doubt one of the most significant in the history of television.
According to our information, Nicolas de Tavernost, who has managed the former small chain which has been growing for more than 20 years, is leaving his position.
This is what the group will announce this Tuesday evening during the presentation of its annual financial results.
He will be replaced on April 23, announces Le Figaro, by one of his right-hand men: David Larramendy, currently in charge of commercial activities and development.
🫳🏼🎤 pic.twitter.com/NOAMZPJTkl
— Nicolas de Tavernost (@ndetavernost) February 13, 2024
Privateer look, arm-length CV, electric charisma, taste for formula that kills, Nicolas de Tavernost is the last of the PAF Mohicans.
At the age of 73, while his term as chairman of the board of directors ran until 2026, he ended a long career closely linked to the Six.
The big boss arrived at M 6 even before the creation of M 6. Former member of the cabinet of the Ministry of PTT, under the Raymond Barre government, the young graduate of Sciences-po Bordeaux was hired by Lyonnaise des Eaux who dreamed of launch a television channel in the midst of liberalization of the sector.
To achieve its goals, the ancestor of the Suez group joined forces with the Luxembourgers RTL Group, owner of the radio station of the same name.
In 1987, Prime Minister Jacques Chirac gave the green light to the team and authorized the launch of the Six.
At the helm is Jean Drucker, Michel's brother.
In his shadow, a thin growing silhouette.
His 1m89 right arm continues to make itself indispensable.
In 2000, Tavernost took his mentor's place as head of the channel's board of directors.
When Jean Drucker died, he was alone in charge.
At 73, the prospect became inevitable
New century, new era.
The channel of “Capital” version of Emmanuel Chain, “Zone Interdite” by Patrick de Carolis, clips and “Hit machine”, sitcoms with Vanessa Demouy and Sunday evening erotic films, wants to play in the big leagues.
Compete with the almighty TF 1, or nothing.
On April 26, 2001, under the nose of the front page, M 6 launched live the first season of “Loft Story”, the first French reality TV show.
The program turns into a social phenomenon like no show before it.
And none after that, to be honest.
More than 7 million people are glued to their stations for the final won by Loana and Christophe.
Followed by “100% Foot”, Stéphane Plaza, “New Star”, “Top Chef”, “Pekin Express”.
Compiling an exhaustive list is mission impossible.
Over the course of the decade, M 6 stole the position of France's third channel from France 3 and became the darling of viewers.
Behind the scenes, Nicolas de Tavernost is omnipresent.
He plays on his image as a certified cheapskate to track down all unnecessary expenses.
He knows by heart the cost of his programs, the salary of the least of his collaborators and the price of advertisements, including on W 9 and 6ter, the latest ones.
With his eyes fixed on the accounts and the TF 1 grid, he jostles like a pirate.
And regularly rises to the occasion to denounce the expensive public broadcasting budget.
Tavernost makes his group a cash machine.
M 6 is one of the most profitable channels in France.
For ten years, the retirement of Nicolas de Tavernost has been a taboo subject.
A serious concern for employees who know what they owe to their big boss.
As in the series “Succession”, many believed they were taking his place.
They took the door.
At 73, the prospect became inevitable.
Even more so since the failure of the merger with TF 1, ardently supported by the big man.
His latest project.
One of his rare failures.
Blocked by the law preventing “frequency trafficking”, RTL Group, main shareholder of M 6, can no longer sell its nugget before 2028. By then the booming platforms will have undermined the economic model of the channels and the value of M 6. But it is no longer Nicolas de Tavernost who will manage this thorny issue.
This will be the business of his successor.