The announcement of the withdrawal of C8 from TNT was the starting point of a series of events which will profoundly change the French television landscape. The Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication (Arcom) took the decision to deprive C8 of its frequency from February 2025. This decision, confirmed despite multiple appeals from the Canal+ group, was a real thunderclap for the industry.
The Canal+ group, owned by Vivendi and Vincent Bolloré, was quick to respond. In a spectacular move, it announced the total withdrawal of its four pay channels from DTT from June 2025. This decision concerns:
- Canal+
- Canal+ Cinema
- Canal+ Sport
- Planet
These channels, which offer premium content such as films, series and sporting events, will no longer be accessible via a simple TNT decoder. This situation will affect around 700,000 households, who will have to find new solutions to access these programs.
The reasons for a strategic withdrawal
The Canal+ group justifies its decision by several factors. The increasingly restrictive tax and regulatory environment in France is singled out. The group's press release mentions in particular an increase in the tax paid to the National Center for Cinema and Animated Images (CNC) and threats to its VAT rate.
This withdrawal strategy could also be interpreted as a poker move in the standoff between Canal+ and Arcom and the public authorities. Indeed, this decision could have several objectives:
- Put pressure on regulatory authorities
- Prepare an IPO for the group
- Increase the number of subscribers to satellite and ADSL offers
The group plans to offer affected households the equipment necessary to continue to benefit from all of the programs on other broadcast modes. On the other hand, this will involve taking out a satellite or ADSL subscription with Canal+.
Impact on the French audiovisual landscape
The disappearance of these four DTT channels will have significant repercussions on the French television offering. C8, leading TNT channel in terms of audienceswill leave a significant void. The other Canal+ group channels on TNT, CNews and CStar, are not affected by this withdrawal and will continue to broadcast.
This situation raises questions about the future of free television in France and the evolution of consumption patterns for audiovisual content. The table below summarizes the upcoming changes:
| Chain | Current status | Status in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| C8 | Free TNT | Hors TNT |
| Canal+ | Paid DTT | Hors TNT |
| Canal+ Cinema | Paid DTT | Hors TNT |
| Canal+ Sport | Paid DTT | Hors TNT |
| Planet | Paid DTT | Hors TNT |
Towards a redefinition of the television landscape
This unprecedented situation could mark a turning point in the history of French television. Arcom must still reallocate 15 DTT frequencies for next yeara decision which will be closely scrutinized by all players in the sector. The disappearance of these emblematic chains could open the way to new entrants or a redistribution of cards between existing groups.
Viewers, for their part, will have to adapt to this new situation. Access to premium content will now require a specific subscription, which could accelerate the transition to streaming platforms and multi-service offerings. This development raises questions about the accessibility of content and the role of public television in this new audiovisual landscape.
As the countdown begins, the French audiovisual industry is preparing for a year 2025 which promises to be a real turning point. The disappearance of these four emblematic DTT channels will undoubtedly mark the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new era for French television.
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