M6 requests compensation for lost bonus channel

Commercial broadcaster M6 has reportedly requested an indemnity payment of €90 million plus interest from the French state for failing to provide it with a ‘bonus’ channel on the country’s digital-terrestrial platform.

M6, along with TF1 and Canal+, had previously been granted a future bonus channel on the platform to compensate the shut-down of their analogue frequencies between 2008-11. However the bonus channel awards were shelved when the French government decided to launch six new channels on the platform.

According to the AFP news agency, M6 has asked the Conseil d’État to review a decision annulling the award of compensation.

So far only M6 has pursued the matter. The Conseil d’État has not so far received a complaint from either TF1 or Canal+.