The French Competition Authority (l’Autorité de la Concurrence) has given the go-ahead for the Salto joint-venture SVOD service.
Salto’s commercial offer is due to be launched in the first quarter of 2020.
The Salto project, which consists in creating a common SVOD service between France Télévisions, TF1 and M6, was set up to fight Netflix and other international players. The platform was announced in June 2018.
Gilles Pélisson, CEO of the TF1 group said: “I am pleased that this project is becoming a reality, embodying as it does a new ambition for the French broadcasting industry. The Antitrust Authority’s ruling is a very positive sign, as it demonstrates that the authorities awareness for the need to support and accompany industry players in making the necessary innovative changes in order to face new challenges.”
Nicolas de Tavernost, Chairman of the Executive Board of M6 Group says: “This ruling finally gives us the opportunity to work together to develop an offer and a platform that are in phase with changing usage. Our channels are popular with French people, our content is attractive and our technology is very advanced: all reasons to welcome the forthcoming launch of an ambitious joint offer like Salto.”
Delphine Ernotte Cunci, CEO of France Télévisions says: “Now that Salto has been approved, we will at last be able to put together Team France in broadcasting, which I have been longing for. The launch of the platform will very soon give us what we need to compete against international players on our own territory. And it will be a new way for the French and European creative industries to engage with their public.”
