The French commercial broadcaster TF1 is set to acquire the TV assets of the Groupe AB. The deal will give France’s number one commercial broadcaster control over the channels TMC and NT1.
The agreement, negotiated between Claude Berda, the main shareholder in the Groupe AB and TF1, will raise the broadcaster’s stake in NT1 to 80% and a 100% in TMC (Tele Monte Carlo), two free-to-air terrestrial broadcasters in the country.
The deal, believed to be worth €192 million, will strengthen TF1’s position in the market of ad supported digital terrestrial channels.
With the introduction of DTT in the country, competition between the channels has become more fierce and TF1, while remaining the dominant commercial broadcaster, is slowly losing market share.