We had the impression that the games were made

The reaction of M6 has not dragged. A few days after the green light from the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) to purchase, by the Group TF1, channels TMC and NT1, Nicolas de Tavernost, President of the Executive Board of the group, has implemented its threat. Late last week, M6, which has always been hostile to the operation of concentration, filed an appeal before the Council of State to request cancellation of the authorization of the APF. "Enable TF1 to hand over the chains of the AB group is contrary to the spirit of the Act," he said. Overview of the problems raised by the operation according to Nicolas de Tavernost.

Why disagree you before the Council of State the decision of the CSA to authorise the operation

This decision constitutes a gross negligence of regulation of the television sector. This is why we intend to use all our rights to challenge. In the years 2000, TNT permissions have been granted - as provided in Act - priority to independent groups, rather than the historical chain. Therefore, the nomination of our channel M6 family was rejected on the sole ground of the diversity of operators, the benefit of the AB group and its channel NT1. Enable TF1 to hand over the chains of the AB group is therefore contrary to the spirit of the Act; the CSA cannot change the rules of the game to the operators.

Why group TF1 could not acquire TMC and NT1

Beyond the statutory criteria - pluralism and diversity of operators, the CSA's mission - by article 42.3 of the Broadcasting Act - to ensure the balance of the sector: the dominant position of TF1 television advertising market (approximately half of the market) and its pre-eminence in the market of the audiovisual rights have been recognized by the competition authority. This operation reinforces an operator already in a dominant position, thus shifting risk in the General market of free television in France. I remember that M6, in the position of challenger, already has a gap of about 30 points with leader, which exists nowhere elsewhere in Europe. What would be the reaction of operators Telecom challengers if France Telecom, in a dominant position in its market, was authorized to redeem Free and its 4elicence of mobile telephony, which rightly assigned him for diversity Yet, this is a similar situation that we face today as a result of the decision of the APF: is given permissions for diversity and pluralism, and then transferred to the actor dominant for concentration!

What do you think of the commitments negotiated by the CSA with TF1

First, they are temporary, and especially they do solve nothing the essential question of the dominant position of TF1. And this is not a weekly cultural programme imposed on NT1 will change anything to the crucial question of the balance of the sector, pluralism and diversity of operators. You should know that, as soon as W9 intended to modify the margin his convention (50 of music), TF1 had seized the Council of State to prevent this development.

Were you able to properly defend your point of view before the CSA

Non. We had the impression that the games were made. It is sufficient to recall the positions taken by the CSA, as early as last summer, on the subject. We asked in writing, at the end of August, 2009, to be heard in plenary as is usual for most of the issues affecting the sector. We had to reiterate this request remained unanswered, and had to wait until March 23 to finally be given a hearing in the plenary, is... an hour until the decision of the CSA!

The CSA justifies the green light by the need to build powerful French audiovisual groups. What do you think

TF1 continues to be, despite the decline of his hearing, to almost 50 of the advertising market French TV: is not therefore not a problem that prevented them in twenty-three years of export. During this period, we are beaten to create a diverse group that works. I must, with its 1,800 employees, to act so that it is not dependent on outside choice that would weaken us in a logic of exclusion.