Bouygues, RTL Group Sign Agreements to Merge French TV Networks

By Mauro Orru

Bouygues SA and RTL Group SA have signed agreements to merge French TV networks Television Francaise 1 SA and M6-Metropole Television SA, a move set to create a streaming-focused French operator.

The companies entered into exclusive talks in May over a merger between Bouygues-controlled TF1 and RTL-controlled M6.

Bouygues said Thursday that the signing came after employee representative bodies of the French construction-and-media conglomerate, TF1 and M6 all issued favorable opinions on the proposed merger.

The transaction should close by the end of 2022.

Write to Mauro Orru at [e-mail]; @MauroOrru94

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

07-08-21 1245ET