Orange has filed a complaint with the French competition authority (Autorité de la concurrence ) about the exclusive distribution deal between CanalSat and TF1.
TF1 has extended its exclusive distribution agreement with the CanalSat platform, part of the Canal+ Group, for its thematic channels LCI, Eurosport, Eurosport2, TV Breizh, Ushuaïa TV and Histoire, for another two years.
When the contract was up for renewal, TF1 studied the possibility of ending the exclusivity clause with CanalSat, as Bouygues Telecom made an offer to take the broadcaster’s thematic channels on board its IPTV service. However, TF1 found that it would make more money by maintaining the exclusive agreement with CanalSat.
In a related development, according to the Satellifax news service, Orange is said to be in talks with the Canal+ Group about a possible partnership in its premium channels Orange sport and Orange Cinéma séries.
Last week, France Telecom’s new CEO Stephane Richard said the company is going back to its core business and is now looking for partners for its premium TV business (see Broadband TV News passim).
