The seven main French legacy broadcasters have agreed to a simultaneous switch-off of their analogue satellite DTH transmissions. All channels will switch off in November 2011, when the last French region will turn all digital.
Claude Berda takes the helm at TF1
Following the resignation of Patrick Le Lay as director at French commercial broadcaster TF1, the board has appointed Claude Berda, director and CEO of Groupe AB.
France okays TF1 acquisitions
The French competition authority has given the green light to the acquisition of TMC and NT1 by the country’s biggest commercial broadcaster, TF1, but has set a number of conditions that remove many of the advantages of ownership.
CSA approves two push-VOD pilots
The French media authority CSA has approved two pilots for push-VOD services over the nation’s digital terrestrial network.
TF1 to feature on Samsung Connected TV
TF1 has announced a three-year partnership with Samsung Electronics France. From March 2010, Samsung products sold in France will feature interactive services tied to the commercial broadcaster’s flagship brands and content included dedicated applications featuring news, weather, sport and programme information.
DTT helps increase small broadcasters’ share
In France, the “new channels” reached a 28.8% audience share during the month of November, mainly thanks to the expansion of the digital terrestrial network. According to figures of Mediametrie, YTF1 now dips to 25.8%.
TF1 launches catch-up TV on IPTV
The French commercial broadcaster TF1 has finally launched its catch-up TV service MyTF1 on the IPTV boxes BBox from Bouygues Telecom. Other IPTV providers will follow.
Vivendi/Canal+ Group acquire remaining 9.9% from TF1
Vivendi/Canal+ Group have announced that they will acquire the remaining 9.9% that TF1 still holds in Canal+ France. The transaction, worth €744 million, will be closed before the end of this year.
Eurosport subs balance ad loss
Eurosport’s growing subscription revenues and a focus on multimedia platform costs have helped the TF1-owned channel counterbalance a loss in advertising revenues, which fell by 25.6% to €47.4 million in the first nine months of 2009.
French ‘Kangaroo’ in the making
The French private broadcasters Canal+, TF1 and M6 are looking to create a common Catch-up TV platform, according to a report in Les Echos. At the moment, about ten million French viewers use at least one of these services.