France is looking into the possibility of effectively taxing viewers who do not own a TV but use smartphones, PCs and tablets to access content.
Speaking at a seminar and quoted by Le Figaro, President Hollande said he was in favour of a broader base than just the receiver licence fee to help fund public service broadcasting.
Although such a new tax would effectively apply to only 3-5% of households, it would also mark a 180 degree turn by the government, with Fleur Pellerin, the minister of culture and communication, denying it only a few days ago.
At the same time, she also raised the possibility of reintroducing advertising on France Télévisions after 20.00.
