French DTT candidates to submit proposals tomorrow

Candidates have until tomorrow to submit proposals for six new HD digital-terrestrial TV frequencies on offer in France.

According to financial daily Les Echos, commercial broadcaster TF1 plans to submit a proposal to obtain a slot for its lifestyle channel Stylia, rather than TV Breizh, as previously expected. TF1 will also submit proposals for a fiction channel and a generalist channel codenamed Channel 4, according to the paper.

Rival commercial broadcaster M6 is expected to propose the launch of its movie and entertainment channel M6 Famille and a shopping channel. Thematic broadcaster NRJ plans to submit female-oriented Chérie HD, Nostalgie TV and one other channel, while NextRadioTV will proposes RMC Sport HD. Other potential candidates include rival sport channel L’Equipe HD.

Pay TV operator Canal Plus has said it plans to propose a general entertainment channel focused on movies and original productions, and would also move its Canal Plus Family channel from pay to free-to-air. However, if the latter’s acquisition of Bolloré’s Direct 8 and Direct Star channels is completed it may be forced to give up existing frequencies in order to keep its DTT allocation below the seven channels prescribed by law.