CSA launches consultation on interactive DTT as cable channels protest new obligations

French media regulator the CSA has launched a new public consultation on the development of interactive services in the country’s digital-terrestrial TV platform.

The consultation will cover services that can be delivered to TVs via an internet connection, allows users to access functionality that can be considered complementary to linear DTT channels, such as video-on-demand.

The CSA said that the consultation was followed on from authorisations that took place in the spring, which were intended to kick off tests of the first services.

The regulator is seeking contributions from interested parties in the various categories of interactive services that could be authorised, and views on the requirements and resources in terms of frequencies and channel numbers that might be required to bring projects to realisation.

Contributions close on September 29.

The CSA’s consultation is opening as another one, launched by the country’s culture ministry on planned legislation that could impact on thematic channels, closes.

The planned ‘cable-satellite’ decree outlines obligations that must be undertaken by channels distributed by cable and satellite, and comes alongside parallel legislation covering SVOD services and DTT.

The new rules are likely to place additional burdens on thematic channels to finance French and European production, obliging them to devote 16% of revenues to creation.

Groups representing French thematic channels are protesting against what they see as an additional blow on top of downward pressure on their revenues from telecom operators and other distributors, the impact of the pandemic and competition from streaming services.

Thematic channels group ACCeS, which has just added new members Histoire TV and TV Breizh from TF1 Group, told financial daily Les Echos that the legislation risked sacrificing thematic channels for the sake of uniformity of rules.