Canal+ TNT Channels Discontinued: Replacement Offers
- PARIS (AP) — France's digital Terrestrial Television (TNT) is poised for a series of notable changes starting June 6, including a new channel launch and teh cessation of...
- The Canal+ Group will discontinue its Canal+, Canal+ Cinema, Canal+ Sport, and Planet+ channels on TNT, as their authorizations expire june 5 and Aug.
- The Arcom, France's audiovisual regulatory body, stated in a press release that the radio resources used by Canal+ will become available June 6, coinciding with the end of...
French TNT Faces Changes as Canal+ Exits, New Channel Debuts
Table of Contents
- French TNT Faces Changes as Canal+ Exits, New Channel Debuts
- French TNT: Your Burning Questions Answered
- What’s Changing with French TNT?
- Why is Canal+ Leaving TNT?
- When Will Canal+ Channels disappear from TNT?
- What Happens to the Frequencies Freed Up by Canal+?
- What Are the Potential Scenarios for the Future Use of TNT Frequencies?
- How is the Advertising Market Impacting These Decisions?
- Who Can provide Input on the Future of TNT?
- What’s the Broader Context of These Changes?
- What Does This mean for French Viewers?
PARIS (AP) — France’s digital Terrestrial Television (TNT) is poised for a series of notable changes starting June 6, including a new channel launch and teh cessation of broadcasting by Canal+ Group’s four paid channels.
Canal+ Ends Paid TNT Broadcasts
The Canal+ Group will discontinue its Canal+, Canal+ Cinema, Canal+ Sport, and Planet+ channels on TNT, as their authorizations expire june 5 and Aug. 31, respectively. This move will free up four channel slots.
The Arcom, France’s audiovisual regulatory body, stated in a press release that the radio resources used by Canal+ will become available June 6, coinciding with the end of Canal+’s authorization. Canal+ initially applied for these channels in February 2024 but withdrew its application Dec. 5,effectively ending paid TNT services in France,except for Paris. no new entrants proposed projects during the previous call for tenders.
Arcom Considers Future of Freed Frequencies
The Council of state directed Arcom on Feb. 19 to evaluate the economic conditions for a new call for applications for the four available authorizations. Arcom must determine whether the sector’s financial state supports launching a new call or if a postponement of two years, renewable once, is more appropriate.
Three Potential Scenarios for TNT Frequencies
Arcom is considering three primary scenarios for the future use of these frequencies:
- Authorizing new television services to expand the existing offerings. Though, Arcom is assessing the advertising market’s capacity to sustain new players, given the declining viewership of traditional television. Arcom notes that while television advertising revenue has grown slightly, it lags behind the overall advertising market, projecting a 1.4% annual decline between 2024 and 2030.
- Authorizing existing services in enhanced formats such as UHD or HD-HDR. France 2 has been broadcasting in UHD since January 2024, and Arcom seeks input on deploying other channels in improved formats.
- Utilizing frequencies for 5G Broadcast standard services, a technology tested during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, to broadcast audiovisual content to mobile devices.
Industry Input Sought on TNT’s Future
Audiovisual sector stakeholders are invited to submit their contributions electronically by June 13. Arcom may publish these contributions, requesting participants to provide both confidential and public versions, with sensitive facts redacted from the latter.
Broader Reflection on TNT’s Trajectory
This consultation is part of a broader examination of TNT’s future. The French government is required to submit a report to Parliament by Dec.31, outlining the prospects for television service dissemination and distribution in France. Concurrently, the RSPG expert group at the European level is continuing its analysis of the 470-694 MHz frequency band’s use thru 2030-2040.
French TNT: Your Burning Questions Answered
What’s Changing with French TNT?
France’s digital terrestrial television (TNT) is undergoing a period of transformation,bringing both channel exits and new opportunities. This includes the departure of Canal+ Group’s paid channels and a review of how available frequencies will be utilized.
Why is Canal+ Leaving TNT?
The Canal+ Group will cease broadcasting its Canal+,Canal+ Cinéma,Canal+ Sport,and Planet+ channels on TNT as their authorizations expire. Their authorizations expire on June 5 and August 31, respectively. This means that those channels will no longer be available on TNT. Canal+ Group initially applied for these channels in February 2024 but withdrew the submission on December 5.
When Will Canal+ Channels disappear from TNT?
The radio resources previously used by Canal+ will become available starting June 6, 2024. This date coincides with the expiration of Canal+’s authorization.
What Happens to the Frequencies Freed Up by Canal+?
The French audiovisual regulatory body, Arcom, is tasked with determining the future of the frequencies previously used by Canal+. The Council of State directed Arcom on February 19, 2024, to evaluate the economic conditions surrounding a new call for applications for these four available authorizations. Arcom must decide if the sector’s financial state supports launching a new call or if a two-year postponement (renewable once) is more appropriate.
What Are the Potential Scenarios for the Future Use of TNT Frequencies?
Arcom is considering three primary scenarios:
- New Television Services: Authorizing new television services to expand the existing offerings. Arcom is assessing the advertising market’s capacity to sustain new players, given the declining viewership of customary television.
- Enhanced Formats: Authorizing existing services in enhanced formats like UHD or HD-HDR. France 2 has been broadcasting in UHD as January 2024.
- 5G Broadcast: Utilizing frequencies for 5G Broadcast standard services, a technology tested during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, to broadcast audiovisual content to mobile devices.
How is the Advertising Market Impacting These Decisions?
Arcom is closely analyzing the advertising market. While television advertising revenue has seen a slight increase, it lags behind the overall advertising market. Projections indicate a 1.4% annual decline between 2024 and 2030.
Who Can provide Input on the Future of TNT?
Audiovisual sector stakeholders are invited to submit their contributions electronically by June 13. Arcom may publish these contributions,requesting both confidential and public versions,with sensitive details redacted from the public version.
What’s the Broader Context of These Changes?
This consultation is part of a wider examination of TNT’s future. The French government must submit a report to Parliament by December 31 outlining the prospects for television service dissemination and distribution in France. At the European level, the RSPG expert group is also analyzing the 470-694 MHz frequency band’s use through 2030-2040.
What Does This mean for French Viewers?
With Canal+ channels departing, viewers will lose access to those specific channels on TNT. However,the freed-up frequencies open the door for potential new channels,improved broadcast quality,or even content delivered to mobile devices. The exact outcome will depend on Arcom’s decisions after gathering industry input.