Métropole Télévision SA, commonly known as M6 Group (), is a French media holding company. It was formed around the commercial television channel M6, launched in March 1987 by the CLT (RTL Télévision) and La Lyonnaise des Eaux.
In addition to its audiovisual and digital media presence, some of the group's television channels are operated (including M6, W9, 6ter, Paris Première, Téva, Série Club) radio stations (RTL, RTL2 and Fun Radio), and film and television production and distribution companies. The company has also been presenting information and services on the Internet, including online video and computer companies. Since 1999, the group has also diversified into publishing, music and show production, distance selling, and sport with the Football Club of the Girondins de Bordeaux.
In May 2021, M6 Group and TF1 Group announced that they had begun negotiations for a proposed merger. On 16 September 2022, the merger was officially abandoned. On 22 September 2022, Thomas Rabe, CEO of RTL Group's parent company, Bertelsmann confirmed that Groupe M6 was up for sale, after the failed merger with TF1 Group. On 3 October 2022, RTL Group confirmed that they would not be selling their stake in Groupe M6.
Assets
Television
Channel Description Stake Launched Acquired M6 Broadcast network 100% 1 March 1987 (replaced TV6) W9 Youth entertainment and musical channel launched for DTT 31 March 2005 6ter Generalist family channel launched for DTT 12 December 2012 Paris Première Generalist and cultural interest Pay-TV channelAvailable on Pay-DTT, with FTA programs 15 December 1986 6 May 2004 Téva Pay-TV channel targeting a female audience 6 October 1996 2007 M6 Music Musical pay-TV channel 5 March 1998 Série Club Pay-TV channel dedicated to TV series 50% TF1 Group, 50% M6 Group 8 March 1993M6 SuisseSwiss subfeed, available in free-to-air on satellite100% (advertising window operated by Goldbach Media)2 October 2001W9 Suisse2 August 20116ter Suisse2014
International Channel Description Launched Acquired M6 International International version of M6, outside Europe 2019
Former channels All these channels used to be on Pay-TV. Channel Description Stake Launched Ceased Acquired Fun TV Music channels100% 22 February 1997 31 December 2008 M6 Music Black 10 January 2005 4 January 2015 M6 Music Club 20 January 2009 M6 Music Rock 10 January 2005 20 January 2009 M6 BoutiqueTV shopping channels 100% (via Home Shopping Service) 19 May 1998 1 July 2020Best of Shopping 1 October 2003 Girondins TV Channel dedicated to FC Girondins de Bordeaux 100% (via FC des Girondins de Bordeaux) 14 August 2008 30 October 2018 TF6 Generalist family channel 50% TF1 Group, 50% M6 Group 18 December 2000 31 December 2014 Telekanal Deda Moroza Russian children channel, available every year for the Christmas and holiday season 1 December 2013 2019
Radio The Groupe M6 acquired RTL France on 1 October 2017, from its main shareholder RTL Group. Radio Description Stake Launched Acquired RTL Generalist 100% 15 March 1933 1 October 2017 RTL2 Pop-rock music 6 January 1992 Fun Radio Youth-oriented and dance music 2 October 1985
Video platforms On 19 March 2008, M6 launched its first catchup service, M6 Replay. On 4 November 2013, M6 Replay, W9 Replay and 6ter Replay were merged into 6play. In late 2017, RTL radios joined 6play. 6play was declined in Belgium and Croatia as RTL Play, and in Hungary as RTL Most.
On 14 May 2024, 6play became M6+ and is now using the same platform as Germany’s RTL+ as they are developed by streaming technology company Bedrock co-owned by Groupe M6 and RTL Group.
Service Description Stake Launched Acquired M6+ Catchup, live TV, radio and video on demand.Available in Germany and Hungary as RTL+ 100% (via M6 Web) 4 November 2013 Gulli Replay Catchup, available on TV providers, and Gulli mobile appGulli is also available on M6+. 100% (via Jeunesse TV) April 2010 2 September 2019 Gulli Max Children SVOD service, available in OTT, as the premium option on Gulli mobile app, on Prime Video Channels, and various providers, included in some offers such as the Famille bouquet of Canal+ 2014 M6 Group was a shareholder of the streaming service Salto as a joint-venture with TF1 Group and France Télévisions, active from 2020 to 2023.
Film M6 Films, film co-production M6 Studio, film production Société Nouvelle de Cinématographie (SNC), film catalog SND, formerly known as Société Nouvelle de Distribution or SND Films, film distribution and production M6 Vidéo, home video distribution division Studio 89 Productions, formerly known as W9 Productions, television production C. Productions, television news production M6 Formats, distribution arm of Studio 89's original programmes Golden Network, digital content
References
External links