Numericable

French operator Numericable-SFR is set to gain a stable of leading domestic TV channels, radio stations, websites and national newspapers, through two transactions with parent Altice worth hundreds of millions of euros.

French outsider Iliad, headed by Xavier Niel, is threatening to become part of the mainstream, having attracted 11. 7 million mobile subscribers, equivalent to a market share of 17 per cent, by the end of 2015.

A report said French market leader Orange is eyeing smaller rival Bouygues Telecom, although the latter denied it was planning to exit the telecoms sector.

Ambitious operator Altice strengthened its multiplay strategy in France by snatching broadcasting rights for English Premier League football, including on mobile devices, from under the nose of current holder, Vivendi’s Canal Plus.

Emmanuel Macron, France’s economy minister, said the country’s operators should think less about consolidation and more about investment. “In France the sector has reached a point of equilibrium,” he said in an interview with French daily Les Echos.

Stephane Richard, the CEO of Orange, forecast an end to the price war in France which has taken a toll on the country’s operators and their margins.

Altice made a bid to acquire the 20 per cent stake in its French business (Numericable-SFR) held by Vivendi for €3. 9 billion. Vivendi became a shareholder in the company when Altice acquired SFR, the integrated operator it previously owned.