Xavier Niel’s project eliminated from the procedure by Arcom

A setback for Xavier Niel. Arcom, the media regulator, announced on Wednesday February 22 that the French billionaire’s project, which aimed to replace M6 to operate channel 6 of digital terrestrial television (TNT), had been eliminated from the procedure for awarding this frequency.

Even if the frequency of M6 and that of TF1, also subject to renewal, have not yet been formally reallocated, only their current holders remain in the running for the last part of the procedure, decided Arcom.

As soon as this announcement was made by Arcom, Xavier Niel reacted with an offbeat message on Twitter. He wrote “The Frequency of M6” above photo of teenage boy crying and saying “How the fuck can I get you back, NEVER can I get her back”famous meme of internet culture.

The authorizations to operate channels 1 and 6 of the TNT expire on May 5, and their reattribution for ten years had been the subject of an unprecedented call for candidates since 1987, the year of the privatization of TF1 and the arrival of M6 on the sixth hertzian network.

A new agreement to be adopted with TF1 and M6 before May 5

Xavier Niel wanted to create a channel called “SIX” to replace M6, promising less advertising, more new programs and early evening shows starting before 9 p.m.

The Arcom “will now initiate discussions with the selected candidates (TF1 and M6) in order to conclude an agreement intended to define the obligations and commitments of each of the two services”she explained in a press release. “This agreement must be adopted before the issuance of an authorization to use the (frequency) on DTT, which itself must take place before May 5, 2023”she added to specify the deadline.