The French media authority CSA has now confirmed the rollout of multiplex R5, which carries three HD channels.
The multiplex houses three channels, TF1 HD, France 2 HD and M6 HD, and the plan is to extend coverage of the multiplex to 97% of the population by 2015.
In order to achieve this, a total of 1,627 transmitters will be needed. At the moment, there are 79 sites active, with a further 165 transmitters to be added between September and November 2012.
The first batch of 38 transmitters will come on air in Bretagne on September 18, to be followed by 55 in Alsace, Bourgogne, Champagne-Ardenne, Franche-Comté and Lorraine.
On November 13 another 72 transmitters will fire up in Centre, Pays de la Loire and Poitou-Charentes. By that time the three HD channels will reach a potential 96% of the French population.
An additional 416 transmitters will be taken into service at the same time as the six new HD channels (HD1, L’Équipe HD, 6 Ter, TVous La Télédiversité, RMC Découverte and Chérie HD), will come on the air – in the period between December 12, 2012 and 2015.
