TF1 and M6 groups, the top two commercial networks of France, have decided to call off their plan to merge after being auditioned by the country’s anti-trust board.
TF1 and M6 have offered to keep their advertising businesses separate for three years after their merger in an attempt to secure regulatory approval of the fusion.
France's Le Autorité de la Concurrence has raised many significant competition concerns about the local merger, especially regarding the advertising market.
The French commercial broadcast groups will enter exclusive negotiations, unanimously approved by the Boards of Groupe Bouygues, RTL Group, Groupe TF1, and Groupe M6, to merge related company activities.