Watchdog greenlights France Télévisions news channel

Delphine Ernotte Cunci

French media regulator the CSA has authorised the launch of a news service by public broadcaster France Télévisions.

The CSA said last week that it was greenlighting a request by the ministry of culture and communication for the distribution of the channel in standard definition. The service will be available on the country’s digital-terrestrial platform on channel 27, just after rival service LCI on channel 26.

To make space for the service, the CSA has authorised the pubcaster to continue to broadcast its France Ô service in standard definition only. Other service from the public broadcaster are available in HD.

The news service is the brainchild of France Télévisions director-general Delphine Ernotte-Cunci, who was appointed to her role last year.

France Télévisions will be responsible for the editorial content of the service, with Radio France, overseas TV organisation France Médias Monde and the Institut National de l’Audiovisue contributing. As envisaged by Ernotte-Cunci, the news service will include both a linear channel and on-demand elements.