After this hearing, we will have to wait a few weeks before knowing the decision of the Council of State. NRJ12, whose frequency has also not been renewed, is also involved. In September, the Council of State had already rejected their appeals brought in summary proceedings.
Newcomers
At the origin of their anger, there is the pre-selection of Arcom for the reallocation of 15 TV frequencies in 2025: the independent regulatory authority ruled out the renewal of NRJ12 and C8, whose lease will expire at the end of February, and rejected the candidacy of the radical left web television Le Média, which also referred the matter to the Council of State. On the other hand, the files of two newcomers were retained: those of OFTV, from the Ouest-France group, and RéelsTV, from billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. To base this pre-selection, Arcom indicated that it had, in particular, assessed “the interest of each project for the public with regard to the priority imperative of pluralism”.
The channels still in the running, however, will only obtain their authorization to broadcast after having signed new agreements with the regulator, by the end of the year. But NRJ12 took the lead and referred the matter to the Council of State. According to its owner NRJ Group, the “economic viability” – and therefore “the existence” – of the channel is threatened and, by extension, “the economic model of Chérie 25”, another branch of the group.
400 jobs affected at C8
C8 followed suit, invoking a “particular situation with regard to the economic, social and competitive issues generated” for a channel that has existed “for almost 20 years”, according to its owner Canal +. Some 400 jobs are affected.
Slippages that are expensive
C8 accumulated fines of €7.60 million due to the slip-ups of its star host, Cyril Hanouna. “Arcom especially wanted to sanction the channel for these shortcomings linked to the program “Touche pas à mon poste”, but these have already been heavily sanctioned”, points out Canal +.
For his part, Cyril Hanouna is preparing for any eventuality. At the end of October, he assured that he would remain in any case in the Canal + group, within which he is working to create a multimedia offer available on the Internet and in print, in addition to television.
The media of the entire group are mobilized to maintain C8. The channel is “popular”, with more than nine million viewers per day, and “we must never despise the public”, for example, affirmed Pascal Praud, one of the headliners of CNews, on Tuesday. “The suspicion of a political decision hangs over Arcom’s decision,” he also argued.
This is because the renewal of frequencies has also stirred up the political sphere. In July, LFI deputy Aurélien Saintoul, rapporteur for a commission of inquiry into TNT in early 2024, notably deplored that Arcom had accepted the candidacy of CNews, accused by many left-wing politicians of promoting ideas far right. Which she disputes.
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