France Televisions President Delphine Ernotte Urges New Shared Streaming Service: ‘We’re Stronger Together’

variety.com:

Ben Croll Facing greater international competition alongside smart TV interfaces that grow all the more convoluted, France Televisions president Delphine Ernotte issued a clarion call to Gallic broadcasters: It’s time to launch a new shared streaming platform that could offer a single point of access for local programing. ‘We’re stronger together,” said the public broadcasting exec. “I don’t have much faith that we can stand shoulder to shoulder with [international services] while all off in our own corners.

That’s not how things work anymore.” Speaking at a Series Mania keynote moderated by Variety’s International Editor Elsa Keslassy, Ernotte reflected on the “strategic mistakes” that hamstrung Salto – a joint service launched by TF1, M6 and France Televisions that folded last year.

Though Salto launched as a paid service due to TF1 and M6’s existing commitments, Ernotte took solace in those partners’ recent contract renegotiations and inspiration from the U.K.’s Freely as she renewed her push for a one-stop-shop. “If we want our national media to exist — to continue sharing all the voices and creators that are fundamental to our cultural life — we don’t have 36 solutions,” said Ernotte.

Ernotte hit a similar tone when giving a thumbs-up to the French Minister of Culture’s recent proposal to create a joint holding company that would bring together France Télévisions and Radio France, arguing that greater coordination and cooperation was the way to go, while defending a trans-platform public broadcasting remit. “People now listen to podcasts on their TVs, and [parents] will be happy to have access to cartoons in their cars,” she said.