Guest Wednesday morning of the program "Culture Médias", Stéphane Sitbon-Gomez, director of the antennas and the programs of France Televisions, is delighted at the microphone of Philippe Vandel of the project of merger of the two television groups TF1 and M6, a merger announced Tuesday and which already worries part of the sector.

INTERVIEW

What does France Televisions think of the proposed merger announced on Tuesday between the TF1 and M6 groups?

Far from worrying, she rejoices.

In any case, this is what suggests its director of antennas and programs, Stéphane Sitbon-Gomez, guest of

Culture Médias on

Wednesday 

.

"There is a movement of media concentration everywhere in Europe and everywhere in the world", he observes at the microphone of Philippe Vandel.

"It is rather good news that this movement is also taking place in France, and that we have a powerful private actor."

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"And faced with a powerful private player, a strong and robust public service is needed more than ever. The arrival of this new competition is rather a healthy emulation", analyzes the number 2 of France Télévisions, before recalling that this project of merger remains subject to the outcome of the debates that will take place before the Competition Authority, the CSA and the legislator.

"France Télévisions will participate, like all the players in the sector."

"After a three-way meeting, they wished to continue with a two-party marriage"

In 2020, France Télévisions, TF1 and M6 joined forces to create Salto, a common streaming platform announced as the French response to Netflix. A merger between TF1 and M6 could therefore change the balance of power within this common project. "Salto obviously had a pioneering role. France Télévisions should be rewarded, since it is Delphine Ernotte's idea to put TF1 and M6 together, and to create a real French audiovisual team", prefers to smile Stéphane Sitbon -Gomez.

"After this three-way meeting, TF1 and M6 wished to continue with a two-party marriage," he continues in a tone of humor. "I'm always happy when you're able to play matchmaker, it's always nice when friends get together." The merger between TF1 and M6 will not take place before, at the earliest, 12 to 18 months. The time it takes for the Competition Authority to deliver its opinion.