Pascale Paoli Lebailly, on 24-06-2008
Discord is prevailing over the complex public service broadcasting advertising ban. Almost one week after the Copé Commission wrapped up its final report and two days before Jean-François Copé hands it to President Nicolas Sarkozy, private networks have called on the French government to “stand back” from the report.
Meeting on Monday with France’s Minister for culture and communication Christine Albanel, broadcasting groups TF1, Canal+ and M6 now gathered into the ACP private networks’ association, have mainly insisted on the negative effects (social, economic and cultural) that they say a new tax on private networks’ additional ad revenues would have. These would come at a time when the TV sector faces new technological and business challenges.

CEOs Bertrand Méheut, from Canal+ and president of ACP, Nonce Paolini from TF1 and Nicolas de Tavernost, from M6, have mostly tried to demonstrate that the Commission bases its valuation of France Télévisions ad revenue losses after the ad ban on incorrect figures. “Figures are clearly over-valued” and not linked to the reality of France Télévisions ad revenues, the three said, denouncing “unrealistic calculation without any economic relevance.”

Finally, the private networks find it unacceptable to “contribute to pay for a competing public service” that would not be obliged to cut its costs and adapt its management to the new business reality.

Another recommended tax, the proposed 0.5% on mobile and internet access operators’ revenues, could also be soon in the firing line. The European Commission made it known earlier this week that Viviane Reding wasn’t, at first, very “enthusiastic” regarding such a plan. According to a spokesman, the project will be analysed for compatibility with the EC’s rules.

“The EC is concerned with the rise in purchasing power of European citizens and with European growth. It is not favorable to new taxes in sectors creating growth, like new media,” he added.

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