Delphine Ernotte-Cunci, the CEO of France Télévisions, has called the collapse of the French broadcaster-backed streamer Salto “a strategic mistake.”
Salto — a subscription streaming venture between France Télévisions, TF1 and M6 — dissolved last year after failing to attract subscribers amid fierce competition in France, but Ernotte-Cunci wants to see another version developed.
During a keynote at Series Mania, she praised the upcoming British streaming service Freely, which is backed by all of the main terrestrial networks, and called on her French counterparts to explore a similar initiative.
“I can say we missed an opportunity,” said Ernotte-Cunci. “We killed Salto, but from my point of view this was a strategic mistake and I hope we can overcome it and reconsider it. A common platform is the right thing to do.”
Earlier today, the outgoing boss of M6, Nicolas de Tavernost, called for ““collective measures to expand streaming services” in France. He also referenced the soon-to-launch UK offering Freely, saying: “British people showed us the way but we missed a step there.”
Quizzed about the upcoming TF1 free streaming service, Ernotte-Cunci replied that “you can go it alone or be more the merrier and stronger together,” adding the discoverability was becoming harder and harder and collective platform would address this issue.
“We need to understand this is not the 1990s. We are in 2024 and the competition is fierce. For national media to have its voice and create information that adds to national culture, this is the way to go. I am very passionate about this.”
Elsewhere in the keynote speech, Ernotte-Cunci said she would consider a third term at the top of France Télévisions. She joined the national broadcaster in 2015 and was reappointed for a second term in 2020.
“I’ll ask myself the question when we know more what France Télévisions will look like in the future. What I can say is I’m very happy.”
Ernotte-Cunci, who is in her second term at the European Broadcasting Union, also talked about the benefits of France Télévisions’ commissioning club initiative The Alliance with Germany ZDF and Rai in Italy.
She noted The Alliance was “inspired by the work of Nordic networks and producers,” who have often pooled resources to increase the scale and scope of productions. “It would be in our best interests to create a cluster [in Europe] and join forces to create programs together,” she added.
France Télévisions is not currently part of the New 8 commissioning group, which launched in October last year and comprises ZDF (Germany), NPO (the Netherlands), VRT (Belgium), SVT (Sweden), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), RÚV (Iceland) and NRK (Norway).