TF1, Canal+ M6 defend commercial channels
May 23, 2008
French commercial TV operators Television Francaise 1 (TF1), Vivendi SA’s Canal+ and M6-Metropole Television have announced the creation of an association (ACP) to ‘defend the rights and professional interests’ of national, private, terrestrial channels.
The formation of ACP comes at the time when a government-appointed commission is due to announce its proposals for removing advertising from state channels. President Nicolas Sarkozy said in January he wanted to end advertising on public TV channels. Advertising revenue brings in about E800 million a year for France’s public TV channels and the news boosted shares of commercial rivals who stood to gain from the ban. The commission, created by Sarkozy, is made up of MPs and broadcasting professionals, and is due to report back by the end of May