Proposed sale of the Radio Fugi association under a management lease: favorable opinion from Arcom

Arcom issued a favorable opinion on a proposed sale by way of lease-management of the business of the Radio Fugi association, holder of the authorizations to broadcast the Fugi FM service in category B within the jurisdiction of Arcom Nancy, from the company SCOP RVM, which already operates the RVM service in category B, among others.

In particular, it considered that RVM's music programming was comparable to that of Fugi FM, so that the overriding requirement of plurality in socio-cultural expression and the public interest would not be compromised.

In addition, the Autorité noted that such a transaction would not undermine the diversification of operators, the need to avoid abuse of a dominant position, or the objective of striking a fair balance between national networks and independent local, regional and thematic services, whatever the area under consideration.

Lastly, it took account of the commitment made by RVM in its takeover supply to return one of the two frequencies that would be used in the Revin area if the supply was accepted, so that it could be reallocated to another radio service in a subsequent call for tenders.

Arcom informed the state prosecutor at the Charleville-Mézières judicial court, who had made the request under article 42-12 of the law of September 30, 1986.