The government plans to merge the public broadcasting companies on January 1, 2026. To do this, an amendment will be presented to deputies in the commission starting Tuesday. The Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, called for the creation of a “powerful pole” and announced her support for a rapid regrouping within a holding company. But she had remained vague about possible further integration, raising concerns within the sector.
A merger is “proposed in two stages”: “the creation, on January 1, 2025, of a holding company at the head of a group that brings together France Télévisions, Radio France, France Médias monde and INA” and then “the merger on January 1, 2026.” of subsidiaries within the France Médias company,” explains the government in the presentation of one of the 28 amendments presented on Friday.
Opposition to “any form of merger”
“All assets, rights and obligations” of these companies “are transferred to the company France Médias” with effect from January 1, 2026, details the important government amendment of about twenty pages, presented in identical form by the Renaissance deputies and Horizons, members of the presidential majority. Adds a new chapter to the text of the Cultural Affairs Committee’s menu at first reading, from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday.
This text is a Senate bill, which will then be debated in the chamber of the National Assembly on May 23 and 24. The Radio France unions have already expressed their opposition to “any form of merger” and are calling for a strike this time at the end of the month.
Rachida Dati, who wants to act quickly, plans to reorient the senatorial text towards governance issues. Superpowerful, “the general director of the France Médias company is appointed for five years by Arcom”, the regulatory authority of the audiovisual sector, “according to a transparent, open, effective and non-discriminatory procedure”, provides for another government amendment.
“This reform of public broadcasting should make it possible to offer a richer and better featured offer on all broadcasting channels so that it can be addressed to all French people”, it is explained in particular.
Source: BFM TV
