Television: channels C8 and NRJ12 excluded from DTT at the end of February, confirms Arcom

The audiovisual regulator, Arcom, confirmed on Thursday the exclusion of channels C8 and NRJ12 from DTT at the end of February, in a decision made public. In this press release, Arcom unsurprisingly indicates that it has signed 11 agreements with the new holders of TNT frequencies until 2035, which do not include C8, Cyril Hanouna's channel, and NRJ12. “Unsuccessful candidates will be notified of reasoned rejections in the coming days”specifies the independent authority, which emphasizes having favored in particular the “diversity” of the audiovisual landscape. Two newcomers were preferred: OFTV (Ouest France group) and RéelsTV (CMI Média, from Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky).

Arcom had already decided in July not to renew the frequency of C8 after February 28, which accumulated in eight years 7.6 million euros in fines for the slip-ups of his headliner, presenter of the flagship show “Touche pas à mon poste”. The managers of the channel, like those of NRJ12, are considering an appeal to the Council of State against the final decision of Arcom.

Support campaigns

Previous appeals by the two channels, in summary proceedings (emergency) then on the merits, against a pre-selection carried out in July by the body were rejected, on the grounds that Arcom had not ruled definitively. Mobilized like the entire Canal+ empire, C8 launched a petition at the beginning of November to request its maintenance, which has just surpassed the one million signature mark. “In a particularly pivotal period, this popular momentum is a strong signal sent to decision-makers. There is still time for Arcom to reconsider its decision”Gérald-Brice Viret, boss of Canal+ France, launched on X on Wednesday.

For its part, NRJ 12 had launched a major campaign on its antenna with this slogan “I support NRJ12”the addition of a raised fist to the logo and the mobilization of artists and social media stars.