M6 (French:[ɛmsis]), also known as Métropole Television, is the most profitable private national French television channel[1][2] and the third most watched television network in the French-speaking world.[3] M6 is the head channel of the M6 Group media empire[4] that owns several TV channels, magazines, publications, movie production companies, and media-related firms. It is owned by RTL Group.
On 20 May 2021 it was announced that M6 Group, owners of the channel, has proposed a merger with TF1 Group, which owns TF1.[5] On 16 September 2022, it was announced that the merger was officially abandoned due to financial crisis on both companies.[6]
M6 launched on 1 March 1987 at 11:15 am CET taking the place of TV6.
M6's current on-air brand image, introduced in May 2020 suggests that it tailors its service to teenagers and young-adult demographics. Its current programs lineup include:
French TV programs : Capital, Zone Interdite, Enquête Exclusive, Top Chef, Un dîner presque parfait, 100% Mag, 66 Minutes, Recherche Appartement ou Maison, L'amour est dans le pré, Maison à vendre, On ne choisit pas ses voisins, Belle toute nue, Nouveau Look pour une nouvelle vie, Hits Machines, M6 Boutique, LE 1945 and LE 1245 (news), Top tendance, Le meilleur patissier de france, Danse avec les stars, Morning Live, ...
Investigative journalism shows, such as Capital, Zone interdite and Enquête Exclusive.
Long-lasting short programs, such as Turbo, CinéSix, and E=M6, as well as numerous music videos.
In 2001, M6 became the first national French television network to broadcast reality programming. Its first program of this genre was Loft Story, and was highly watched. The president of TF1 at the time, Étienne Mougeotte, promised that TF1 would never air any reality programming. However, several months later, TF1 signed a contract with Endemol to air such programming. Endemol is the same company that created Loft Story for M6.
M6 is one of the only television services in France to have science-fiction programming as part of its regular schedule. Most supernatural dramas were shown on Saturday nights in what M6 called "la Trilogie du Samedi" (The Saturday Trilogy)
Logo history
M6's third logo from 1987 to 1999
M6's fourth logo from 1999 to 2009
Current programs
News
Le 12:45 (national edition) and 19:45 (national edition), afternoon and evening news.
^ abjoint venture with Amperwelle Studio München Programmanbietergesellschaft, Axel Springer AG, Burda, Studio Gong, m.b.t. Mediengesellschaft der bayerischen Tageszeitungen für Kabelkommunikation, Medienpool and Radio Bavaria Rundfunkprogrammgesellschaft.
^joint venture with Axel Springer, Heinrich Bauer Verlag, Lühmanndruck Harburger Zeitungsgesellschaft and Morgenpost Verlag.
^ abjoint venture with Amperwelle Studio München Programmanbietergesellschaft, Axel Springer AG, Burda, Studio Gong, m.b.t. Mediengesellschaft der bayerischen Tageszeitungen für Kabelkommunikation, Medienpool and Radio Bavaria Rundfunkprogrammgesellschaft.
^joint venture with Axel Springer, Heinrich Bauer Verlag, Lühmanndruck Harburger Zeitungsgesellschaft and Morgenpost Verlag.
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