The seven main French legacy broadcasters have agreed to a simultaneous switch-off of their analogue satellite DTH transmissions. All channels will switch off in November 2011, when the last French region will turn all digital.
TF1, France 2, France 3, Canal +, France 5, Arte and M6 will no longer broadcast their analogue versions on the Atlantic Bird 3 satellite when the Languedoc Roussillon region ends all analogue broadcasts. Canal+ might switch off its analogue broadcasts at an earlier date, as the pay-TV broadcaster has its own time table for digital switch-over.
All seven channels will continue to be available in digital format on two DTH platforms, TNTSat on Astra at 19.2 degrees East and Fransat on Atlantic Bird 3 at 5 degrees West. The free-to-view offer also includes all the other FTA terrestrial channels, including all 24 regional variations of France 3 and France O, the public channel for the French overseas territories. A smart card is needed, but no subscription fee is charged, for satellite reception.
