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]
Historyedit
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)
6play (formerly M6 Replay; subsequently M6+)edit
On 19March2008, M6 launched a new website, in addition to its official site. This TV Catch-up called M6 Replay[7] allows French Internet users (metropolitan France only) to view all M6 programs in the 6 p.m.-midnight slot (excluding films) one hour after their broadcasts, for one week. On 4November2013, M6 Replay was replaced by 6play.
On March 27, 2014, M6 launched 4 new thematic channels, “100% online”, on 6play: 6play Comic (Humor), 6play Crazy Kitchen (Cooking), 6play Style (Fashion/Beauty), and 6play Stories (TV films).[8] On February 9, 2015, M6 launched 6play home time (Universe de la Maison).
On 1 December 2015, a new version of 6play was launched. A new 6play design is launched for the occasion and 6play now uses a personalized recommendation system under the “My selection” section similar to that of Netflix.