Xavier Niel (Free) and the Arnault group are ready to buy M6
Xavier Niel and the Arnault group are in the process of positioning themselves to buy the channels of the M6 group. Xavier Niel is married to Delphine Arnault, daughter of Bernard Arnault and former member of the supervisory board of M6. The current shareholder, Bertelsmann, wants to sell all of his shares in the chain (48%) in the coming weeks.
As the Marianne newspaper reminds us the current majority shareholder of the M6 group wishes to part with its shares in the coming weeks. Based in Germany, Bertelsmann is one of the largest media groups in the world. He currently has 48% of the M6 group, i.e. barely less than the maximum shares (49%) that a natural or legal person can hold in France in a group that includes both TV channels (W9, 6ter, Paris Première, Téva, M6 Music, RFM TV, MCM, Tiji, Canal J and Gulli) and RTL radio channels (RTL, RTL2, Fun Radio).
This rare opportunity to take control of a large French TV group is pushing many players to position themselves. We know that Bouygues (TF1) and Vivendi (Canal +) would like to share the group’s TV and radio activities. But among the possible contenders, there is also Xavier Niel (Altice) and the Arnault group. It must be said that the two players already have very strong ties: Xavier Niel is married to Delphine Arnault, daughter of the boss of the Arnault group. The Arnault group also has a long history with M6.
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Bernard Arnault was a member of the supervisory board of M6 before leaving his place to his daughter Delphine. The operation should, if it goes through, weigh several billion euros. Altice and Groupe Arnault would take control of the maximum of the group (49%) by buying back all the shares currently held by Bertelsmann. For now, this operation has yet to be formalized even if we imagine that negotiations are already underway behind the scenes. If all goes well, the takeover should be completed by summer 2021. Obviously, the operation will be closely scrutinized by the competition authority. We should learn more very quickly.
Source: Marianne
