CSA receives 31 DTT proposals, Canal Plus pulls out

French media regulator the CSA has received 31 proposals to launch services on six new HD digital-terrestrial channels to be allocated this year. However, pay TV operator Canal Plus is not amongst the applicants.

Commercial broadcaster TF1 has proposed the launch of a domestic fiction-focused channel code-named HD1, shopping channel Tendances 24 and female-skewed lifestyle channel Stylia. M6 has put forward movies, drama and magazine-focused channel M6 Famille and another shopping channel.

However, in a surprise move, Canal Plus pulled back from proposing a new free-to-air general entertainment channel as expected. CEO Bertrand Meheut said the group wourld focus instead on completing the integration of Bolloré’s Direct 8 and Direct Star channels. Completion of this acquisition would mean that Canal Plus would already have to give up a DTT frequency to bring its allocation down to the limit set by law.

Thematic channel provider NRJ has proposed female-skewed Chérie HD, nostalgia channel Nostalgie TV and a yet-to-be-made-public original format channel, while Lagardère has proposed Elle TV, RMC Sport, RMC Découverte and BFM Business. L’Équipe TV has proposed a new sport channel. Other proposed channels include JLA Group’s proposed drama series channel ID France 1, Ma Chaîne Etudiante, Vivolta’s proposed channel Via and nature channel Amis TV.

The CSA will choose the operators of the new services by mid-March and authorisations will be granted before the end of May, according to the regulator.