Canal+ is the only broadcaster to apply for a licence to broadcast a pay channel in HD over the terrestrial network in France. It was hoped that up to three candidates would come forward.
In France, the media authority CSA has so far licensed four terrestrial HD channels – TF1 HD, M6 HD, France 2 HD and Arte HD – all of which are free-to-air broadcasters.
The CSA also plans to open up the application process for local broadcasters in HD as part of a big push towards HD broadcasting.