French commercial network TF1 has been partially restored by Canal Plus after the intervention of regulator CSA.
TF1 has returned to satellite, including TNT Sat, the platform intended for viewers that don’t have access to French terrestrial television.
Minister for Culture Françoise Nyssen had summoned executives from Canal to her office on Wednesday afternoon. She described the return as “good news”, adding that it is a responsible decision.
Canal pulled the plug on TF1 on March 1 after failing to conclude a new carriage deal for the channel or the new TF1 Premium offer.
TF1 is said to be demanding €20 million from each operator that carries its signals.
While TF1 is back in Canal’s satellite households, the same cannot be said for those who receive the signal from Canal over IPTV.
Audiences to TF1 have fallen back during its absence from Canal, but a much greater threat lies with Free and Orange, who have both threatened to drop TF1 if they are unable to reach an agreement.