The French media authority CSA has received 36 different proposals for mobile TV services, both from established broadcasters and newcomers. There will be room for 13 channels for the TMP service, which is due to start in the second half of this year. Among the applicants are Canal+ with three channels, Canal+, i-Tele (news) and Infosport; TF1 with their main channel, the news channel LCI and Eurosport; M6 with M6, Teva and W9, Lagardere with no less than six channels, Elle TMP, Canal JMP, Gulli, Virgin 17, MTP1 and MCM Top; Nextradio proposes BFM, TBFM and RMC Sport. Newcomers include mobile operator Orange with two dedicated mobile channels, O’TV and Orange Sport, and the newspapers Les Echoes and L’Equipe join horse racing channel Equida with E3TV. Euronews is going for either a 24 hour schedule or a part-time licence. Original newspaper reports spoke of 32 applicants, but the CSA received four more by mail bringing the total to 36. The licences will be issued for a period of 10 years with the possibility to extend them for a further five. NOTE – A complete list of all applications can be downloaded from our website.
About Robert Briel
Arnhem-based Robert covers the Benelux, France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as IPTV, web TV, connected TV and OTT. Email Robert at rbriel@broadbandtvnews.com.