Arcom approves change of control of Europe 1, Europe 2 and RFM in light of commitments negotiated with Lagardère group
In July 2022, in the context of Vivendi SE's supply of SA Lagardère, Arcom was informed by SA Lagardère of a plan to change control of its radio division (Europe 1, Europe 2 and RFM) to a société en commandite par actions (SCA) controlled exclusively by Mr Arnaud Lagardère.
In compliance with the provisions of article 42-3 of the French law of September 30, 1986, Arcom gave its approval to this transaction on October 25, 2023. This decision is based on the commitments made by the Lagardère group at the end of the negotiations conducted by the Autorité.
These commitments relate first and foremost to the editorial autonomy of the group's radio stations, and of Europe 1 in particular. The station will retain a general-interest format and devote at least 2 hours a day to news bulletins. This will be produced by the station's own editorial team and news department. Programmes co-broadcast with third-party media not controlled by SCA may not exceed 2 hours 15 minutes per day, including advertising.
In addition, on the model of the clauses recently introduced in the TF1 and M6 agreements, Europe 1's obligations in terms of news plurality and social responsibility have been strengthened.
Finally, in order to ensure the future financial autonomy of the radio division, Lagardère SA has undertaken to provide the SCA, from 2023, with all the cash required to operate the SCA until December 31, 2027.
This agreement and the new Europe 1 agreement will be effective from November 1, 2023.
The press release
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- in french
The Europe 1 agreement and Lagardère's commitments
- 1.58 MB
- in french