France Televisions, Newen resolve TF1 spat

France Télévisions has resolved its spat with local producer Newen following an agreement over daily soap Plus Belle la Vie.

A huge, public argument had broken out after commercial broadcaster TF1 acquired Newen, which heavily relies on commissions from France Télévisions. Newen was thrown out of an independent producers body after the sotry came to light.

However, a statement released this week said an agreement had been reached after a “long negotiation”. This will see Newen and France Télévisions jointly owning the rights to Plus Belle la Vie and coproducing it together.

France Télévisions had frozen all development with Newen, but has now relented. Going forwards, it will “resume normal project review and developments of projects Newen proposes”.

Newen is thought to rely on France Télévisions for as much as 60% of its revenues, highlighting the importance of today’s annoucement for the prodco.

The sale of 70% of Newen to TF1 closed in January.