The French media authority CSA is starting hearings today ( Monday, March 5) to decide on the issuing of six new DTT HD licences.
No less than 31 channels were proposed to the authority following the tender, which was issued on October 18, 2011.
Four existing terrestrial broadcasters have each applied with three projects, TF1 (with HD1, Tendances 24 and Stylia HD), M6 (with 6Ter, Boutique &Co and Hexa), the Groupe NextRadioTV (with BFM Business HD, RMC Sport HD and RMC Decouverte) and NRJ (with MyNRJ, Cherie HD and Nosta La Tele).
Print publishers vying for a licence include Lagardare with Elle TV, Nouvel Observateur/Fleurus Presse with 360 Television, Le Figaro with La Chaine Meteo (weather) and sports newspaper L’Equipe with L’Equipe HD.
However, two participants have withdrawn their application, La Chaine Meteo from le Figaro and U.R.B. TV.
The hearings will last until Wednesday, March 14, with the CSA will announcing its decision in the middle of this month. The actual licences will be issued before the end of May 2012.
