French Competition Regulator Casts Doubt on Major Commercial Broadcaster Merger

Concerns raised around impact of advertising market over TF1 and Groupe M6 Deal

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Regulators have raised competition concerns over a proposed merger between French media holding companies Groupe TF1 and Groupe M6—owned by Groupe Bouygues—and RTL Group (part of German multinational Bertelsmann), particularly around the impact on the advertising market.

The two companies had agreed a merger to form a broadcasting giant in March in a deal that would see Bouygues purchase M6 Group from RTL, making it the exclusive controlling shareholder. Groupe Bouygues has agreed to pay $652 million (641 million euros) to acquire an additional 11% of the new company from Bertelsmann, leaving the owner with a remaining 16% stake.

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