M6 Group reports record audience and ad revenue from 2026 World Cup broadcast

France's M6 Group announced that its free‑to‑air channels reached 94% of the French population during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the top national broadcaster from 11 June to 19 July. The half‑year results showed revenue of €643.8 million, a 1.8% rise year‑on‑year, and a 20% increase in streaming revenue, while its M6+ app added 2 million new accounts and logged over 100 million video views. Advertising activity peaked with more than 300 brands, over 40 special campaigns and the longest, most expensive TV commercial in French history aired before the France‑Senegal match.

Despite the strong figures, former football commentator Pierre Ménès criticised the channel on his YouTube channel for lacking critical coverage, calling the broadcast a “deluge of superlatives” that alienated viewers. Ménès suggested the network’s approach could strain its future relationship with FIFA as the tournament moves to a new host in four years.