CanalSat is introducing a new digital package replicating the French DTT line-up. The new service will go live on June 15 using the Astra satellite network at 19 degrees East and will carry 18 of the channels included on the ‘TNT’ system.
The pack is designed to supplement the largely metropolitan coverage of the existing DTT network.
As the channels are freely available on the DVB-T network, the satellite service will also be available without a subscription, however a smartcard will still be required.
At a later date the various regional versions of the France 3 network will be added to the line-up.
For many years the ‘French’ satellite position at five degrees West has carried a near complete line-up of the French broadcast networks including Canal+. This new proposition underlines 19 degrees East as the slot for French satellite television following Canal’s merger with TPS. However the official feed to the French DVB-T network will remain at the old ‘Telecom’ slot.