Subject to new conditions, Molotov must reserve the free channels of TF1 to its paying subscribers, like those of the M6 group. A major game-changing development that could scare users away.
It was to be expected: since February 7, 2022, it is no longer possible to watch TF1, TMC, TFX, TF1 Séries Films and LCI for free on Molotov.tv, as it had been since the service began. Due to a new commercial agreement following the court decision it was the subject of in January, the video platform is now forced to reserve the TV channels of the TF1 group only for its paying subscribers. The message displayed when trying to watch one of these channels is clear: “The new conditions set by the TF1 group unfortunately no longer allow us to offer you the TF1, TMC, TFX, TF1 Séries Films and LCI channels for free”. And to invite you to opt for a paid formula, from €3.99 per month. This change in commercial policy stems from a fresh agreement which puts an end to a conflict between Molotov and the TF1 group. And obviously recalls the one spent at the end of 2021 with the M6 group, for similar reasons. These developments are surprising insofar as the channels of the two audiovisual groups are also broadcast free of charge by DTT. Above all, they profoundly change the economic model of Molotov, which risks losing many users who are content with a free account.
Molotov and TF1: an agreement like with M6
The weather got bad for Molotov a few weeks ago. As revealed Capital, the famous French video platform, which allows streaming television channels on computer, mobile and even on connected TV, had been fined a very heavy fine for infringement. The Paris court had indeed condemned it on Friday January 7 to pay 8.5 million euros to the TF1 group in damages for having continued to broadcast its channels without authorization for more than two years. This court decision with serious consequences temporarily concluded the conflict which had opposed the platform to the audiovisual group for several years. In fact, when Molotov was still only a promising start-up, TF1 had accepted that the platform broadcast its TV channels between 2015 and until mid-2019. Since then, the two companies should have concluded a financial agreement to extend this first authorization. But Molotov refused to do so in view of the sums demanded. And following the proceedings initiated by TF1, the Paris court had ruled in favor of the audiovisual group. This was not the only aspect of the sanction: Mototov also had to immediately stop the live broadcast of the four channels concerned (TF1, TMC, TFX and LCI).
It was the second major setback for Molotov, who had experienced similar setbacks and for the same reasons a few months earlier with the M6 group, which was also demanding a large sum for the retransmission of its channels. After negotiation, the two companies had reached a financial agreement. And, since December 2021, the platform can continue to broadcast the M6, W9, 6Ter and Gulli channels… but only as part of its paid offers, which is a game-changer for the service’s approximately 4 million active users – compared to 22.5 registered. As expected, negotiations continued behind the scenes after the judgment, and Molotov and TF1 reached an equivalent agreement.
What future for Molotov.tv?
These standoffs and their conclusions raise several questions. Starting with the justification of the amount of fees required for the retransmission of streams broadcast free of charge by DTT, as well as by the online services and applications of the two groups, My TF1and 6play. Above all, the resulting changes seriously jeopardize the economic model and the future of Molotov. Admittedly, the start-up has grown since its inception. And if it still has not reached the expected profitability, it was bought in December 2021 by Fubo TV, a streaming heavyweight in the United States that intends to establish itself in Europe. The financial base of the new owner, which counts giants like Disney and Viacom among its shareholders, will it be sufficient to support Molotov for a long time with this new deal.
In fact, non-paying users of the platform will now have to make do with a DTT bouquet amputated from popular channels with a large audience. Certainly, there are still many public channels (those of France Télévisions, France 2, France 3, France 5 and 14, ex-France 4, France O having disappeared from channel 19 left vacant, Arte, LCP and Franceinfo) and private , between Canal (C8, C News and C Star), NRJ (NRJ 12 and Chérie 25), BFM (BFM TV, RMC Story and RMC Découverte) and L’Équipe groups. But what will happen if other broadcasters impose new conditions on Molotov based on the agreements made with TF1 and M6? If Molotov ends up throwing in the towel, many users will be deprived of a useful service. They will then have to turn to other free solutions such as the excellent Captvty to watch TV for free in streaming (see our practical sheets for computer and mobile solutions).
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