Arcom has made its decision on the new distribution of DTT channels, disrupted by the exit of certain channels and the arrival of new ones. On arrival, more readability for viewers, and a dissatisfied one: BFMTV.
Photo Juan Moyano/Getty Images
By Richard Sénéjoux, Etienne Labrunie
Published on January 13, 2025 at 5:51 p.m.
IHe had promised that there would be no “big upheaval”. Nevertheless, a few days before the end of his mandate at the head of Arcom, Roch-Olivier Maistre is vigorously reshuffling the cards for channel numbering on TNT. Released by Canal+ as of June 6, channel 4 is assigned to France 4, which was until now broadcast in position 14. A form of logic which, beyond the consistency with the name of the youth channel, allows to propose a block of public antennas (France 2, France 3, France 4, France 5). “ This gives access to all France Télévisions programs in continuity, in a logical and fluid manner. justified Roch-Olivier Maistre during a press point.
As planned, Arcom has decided to create a block devoted to information, which goes from channel 13 to channel 16. BFMTV and CNews will move forward in numbering and will now occupy channels 13 and 14, followed by LCI and Franceinfo at numbers 15 and 16, which are quite a leap forward in the spectrum (they were until now relegated to numbers 26 and 27). “ At a time when we are talking about pluralism, it seemed important to us to offer simple and fluid access to the entire information offering.continued the president of Arcom. The public interest was the only guide to the regulator's decision. »
Change on June 6
Numbers 8 and 12, left vacant by the eviction of C8 and NRJ 12 from TNT (the two channels will display a black screen from March 1), are reallocated respectively to the parliamentary channels LCP/Public Sénate and to the channel for Gulli youth, owned by the M6 group. The new entrants – the CMI TV channel, owned by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, and OF TV (Ouest-France TV, which will be launched in September) – will be placed in 18e et 19e positions. Like the previous ones, all these decisions can be appealed to the Council of State. We think in particular of BFMTV, firmly opposed to the creation of a block of news channels, which estimated its audience drop at around 15% in such a case. Ironically, its historic channel, 15, will now be occupied by TF1's news channel, LCI. “BFMTV wanted to stay at the top of the news channels, and it is not penalizing to gain two placescomments Roch-Olivier Maistre. It is the editorial line which sets the choice of viewers, and I have no doubt that the strength of BFMTV's program will allow it to resist the competition. But he warns: “ If there must be contentious appeals, Arcom is experienced in the exercise and will defend […] in position ». In a press release published immediately, the RMC BFM group considered that this reconfiguration disadvantaged it, and announced that it would examine “the possible avenues of appeal on these decisions”.
Please note that CMI TV (formerly Réels TV) programs will begin on June 6, and not March 1 as initially planned. “June 6 will be the D-Day of the new numbering” said Roch-Olivier Maistre, adopting a very Gaullian posture, he who was close to Jacques Chirac.
THE NEW NUMBERING
1 – TF1
2 – France 2
3 – France 3
4 – France 4/Culturebox
5 – France 5
6 – M6
7 – Art
8 – LCP/Public Senate
9 – W9
10 – TMC
11 – TFX
12 – Gold
13 – BFMTV
14 – CNews
15 – LCI
16 – Franceinfo
17 – CStar
18 – CMI TV (formerly RealsTV)
19 – OFTV
20 – TF 1 Séries Films
21 – The Team Channel
22 – 6ter
23 – RMC Story
24 – RMC Discovery
25 – Sweetheart 25
