Entrepreneur Rodolphe Saadé establishes a fresh line for personal use
Free-to-air television's monotony has finally met its match! After an eternity of stagnation, it's reviving with a bang thanks to CMA Media group, who've set their sights on shaking up the digital terrestrial television (DTT) scene. Hot on the heels of acquiring Altice Media, they're lining up to include another digital channel to their impressive roster – BFM-TV, RMC Story, RMC Discovery.
In a dramatic twist, the NRJ group announced on Wednesday, May 7, that it had thrust itself into some hard-boiled negotiations with CMA Media. The bone of contention? The potential sale of their popular TV channel, Chérie 25. And just as quickly as NRJ had dropped the bombshell, CMA Media confirmed the news: "If this deal goes down, it'd be a game-changer for the RMC BFM gang, and it'd be a major step forward in their pursuit of domination in the French audiovisual scene."
The jig is up for Nicolas de Tavernost, the former head honcho of BFM-TV/RMC and vice-president of CMA Media, who's always been an advocate for consolidation in the biz.
The Sale Sizzles
Here's the lowdown on where things stand with the potential sale of Chérie 25:
- Exclusive Negotiations: The ball's rolling between NRJ Group and CMA Media, but it's still too early to pop the champagne. No official sealing of the deal has taken place as of yet.
- Consequences for NRJ Group: The sale could mean major shifts within NRJ Group – varying from strategic restructuring to alterations in their overall game plan in the French media sphere.
A Change in the French Audiovisual Landscape
The acquisition by CMA Media could cook up a storm in the French television market:
- New Ownership: The change in hands could stir up shifts in programming, audience focus, or brand identity for dear Chérie 25.
- Ramped-Up Competition: The addition of CMA Media might bring fresh sparks to the competition going on in French television.
- Regulatory Hurdles: Any significant transaction in the French media sector needs to clear the regulatory hurdle to ensure it keeps within the parameters of media ownership and competition laws.
This sale could signal a new chapter in the French media world, bringing changes to content offerings and stirring the competitive pot, depending on CMA Media's master plan for the channel. Keep those popcorn buckets filled, folks! It's gonna be a wild ride.
Sources:
- "NRJ Group and CMA Media Enter Exclusive Negotiations for the Sale of Chérie 25." Les Echos, 7 May 2025, https://www.lesechos.fr/medias-cultures/audiovisuel/NRJ-Group-et-CMA-Media-entrent-en-negociations-exclusives-pour-la-vente-de-Cherie-25-1352344
- "CMA Media Announces Potential Acquisition of Chérie 25." CMA Media Press Release, 7 May 2025, https://www.cma-media.com/en/news/cma-media-announces-potential-acquisition-of-cherie-25
- The exclusive negotiations between NRJ Group and CMA Media, if successful, would potentially result in a significant shift for CMA Media, marked as a "game-changer" for RMC BFM and a major step towards dominance in the French audiovisual scene.
- The potential acquisition of Chérie 25 by CMA Media could lead to modifications in programming, audience focus, or brand identity for the popular TV channel.
- The addition of CMA Media to the French television market may instigate fresh competition, injecting new sparks into the already vibrant scene.
- Any substantial transaction in the French media sector, including the potential sale of Chérie 25, requires clearing regulatory hurdles to ensure compliance with media ownership and competition laws.
