France Télévisions, M6 and TF1 have announced they are joining forces to build SALTO, a new OTT platform for the French TV market. The trio says that, through SALTO, they intend to deliver a high-quality, innovative and easy-to-use service.
The platform will offer news bulletins, magazines, special events, sports, entertainment, French fiction, US series, documentaries and cinema.
It has been said that SALTO will also play an active role in showcasing content from the French and European creative industries. The platform will offer a range of subscription packages — with some providing access to exclusive premieres and add-on services — and operate alongside the broadcasters’ existing free platforms, France.tv, 6Play and MYTF1.
A standalone company will be set up to operate the platform, once clearance has been obtained from the relevant authorities. The three broadcasters will own equal shares in the company.
Analyst Comment
Broadcasters in the UK are also thinking about this kind of move, although, previously, a potential collaboration known as Project Kangaroo (developed around 2008), proposed between the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 was blocked by competition authorities. At the recent DTG Summit, the idea was discussed again, as the arrival of OTT content providers such as Netflix has changed the competitive landscape. (BR)
