Virgin Radio, TV arrives in France. NRJ complains

Back in April Lagadère applied to the French regulator CSA to change the name of its Europe 2 franchise to Virgin Radio…a TV channel, too. After 3 months deliberation approval came down this week. Immediately NRJ complained, asking for an audience with French President Nicholas Sarkozy.

It’s France, VOILA!, and there are always complicating factors. Lagardère once owned a stake in the Virgin Media Superstore music retailer. The CSA demurred, requiring logos for the new Virgin Radio to be distinguishable from those of the Virgin Superstore.

NRJ – the strongest music radio brand in France – complained that Lagardère is receiving preferential treatment. And, as they thought about it, RTL is getting preferential treatment, too. It seems RTL owned Fun Radio recently received a few new French frequencies, therefore expanding their coverage. Germany-based Bertelsmann primarily owns RTL and NRJ wants a high level conversation with somebody at a high level to air their grievance over their own problem getting more frequencies in Germany.

M. Lagardère is a well-known pal of M. Sarkozy and French media circles have been writhing since the election over the intertwining of big French media and big French politicians. - Michael Hedges July 20, 2007

Keywords:French radio, Lagardère

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