It is done ! In the absence of agreement and after many months of legal battles with the CSA, Free stopped broadcasting BFM TV and the other TNT channels of the Altice France group (to which SFR belongs) via its IP stream (they remain accessible if the TNT is connected to the box).
The simple application of a court decision, which Free has appealed. But Xavier Niel decided to invest personally, by publishing a platform in Les Echos. He closes his "trap" on his competitor, saying that if Alain Weill wants his channels to pay for ISPs, he agrees to offer against a subscription to its customers.
A proposal seen as a provocation by the boss of Altice Europe, which must now cope with the decline in hearings in full fall. This is also a problem for Free as the battle of promotions continues among ISPs in this period of back to school, where many students settle.
If BFM TV said do not be worried its position now close to the 2% audience share, which remains double the competition, it is hard to imagine the situation will continue. Especially since Stéphane Richard has just entered the battle to reinforce the position of Free.
His agreement with BFM / RMC is coming soon to expire, and he will also have to decide whether to pay the amount requested by the group. On France 2, he said he refused the hybrid status between pay and free channel that seek to get some actors, and be ready to cut the flow even if he hopes not to get there.
The negotiations between the two groups, initially scheduled for September, have been postponed, but they can not be forever. Thus, the drama is probably just beginning, each now seeking to leave as the winner.
Source link
https://www.nextinpact.com/brief/distribution-des-chaines-bfm-rmc—orange-s-aligne-sur-la-position-de-free-9457.htm
