Legal writs fly over TF1’s new boss

Chris Forrester

Earlier this week we reported on TF1, France's leading commercial broadcaster, stealing away Axel Duroux to be its new No 2. Duroux joined the network from RTL's radio station. But why is M6 not happy?
M6 is reportedly about to initiate actions against Duroux, saying that Duroux sat on its supervisory board (representing RTL, which is M6's main shareholder), and says it will be arguing unfair competition. M6, just for good measure, is reportedly also contemplating suing TF1. Owing to his former position he knows a lot about M6's long-term, financial and programming strategy and about the whole group, which is also TF1 main competitor

TF1 is also preparing to buy two smaller channels, TMC and NT1. TF1 needs to top up its revenues somehow, given that its ad-sales have plummeted 27% in Q1 this year, while M6 saw a fall of only 11%. Pascale Paoli-Lebailly contributed to this report.