Métropole Télévision SA, commonly known as M6 Group (French: Groupe M6), is a French media holding company. It was formed around the commercial television channel M6, launched in March 1987 by the CLT (RTL Télévision) and La Lyonnaise des Eaux.
In addition to its audiovisual and digital media presence, some of the group's television channels are operated (including M6, W9, 6ter, Paris Première, Téva, Série Club) radio stations (RTL, RTL2 and Fun Radio), and film and television production and distribution companies. The company has also been presenting information and services on the Internet, including online video and computer companies. Since 1999, the group has also diversified into publishing, music and show production, distance selling, and sport with the Football Club of the Girondins de Bordeaux.
In May 2021, M6 Group and TF1 Group announced that they had begun negotiations for a proposed merger. On 16 September 2022, the merger was officially abandoned. On 22 September 2022, Thomas Rabe, CEO of RTL Group's parent company, Bertelsmann confirmed that Groupe M6 was up for sale, after the failed merger with TF1 Group. On 3 October 2022, RTL Group confirmed that they would not be selling their stake in Groupe M6.
Contents
Assets
Television
All these channels used to be on Pay-TV.
Radio
The Groupe M6 acquired RTL France on 1 October 2017, from its main shareholder RTL Group.
Video platforms
On 19 March 2008, M6 launched its first catchup service, M6 Replay. On 4 November 2013, M6 Replay, W9 Replay and 6ter Replay were merged into 6play. In late 2017, RTL radios joined 6play. 6play was declined in Belgium and Croatia as RTL Play, and in Hungary as RTL Most.
On 14 May 2024, 6play became M6+ and is now using the same platform as Germany’s RTL+ as they are developed by streaming technology company Bedrock co-owned by Groupe M6 and RTL Group.
M6 Group was a shareholder of the streaming service Salto as a joint-venture with TF1 Group and France Télévisions, active from 2020 to 2023.
Film
M6 Films, film co-production
M6 Studio, film production
Société Nouvelle de Cinématographie (SNC), film catalog
SND, formerly known as Société Nouvelle de Distribution or SND Films, film distribution and production
M6 Vidéo, home video distribution division
Studio 89 Productions, formerly known as W9 Productions, television production
C. Productions, television news production
M6 Formats, distribution arm of Studio 89's original programmes
Golden Network, digital content