(AFP / LIONEL BONAVENTURE)
The Council of State on Wednesday rejected the appeals brought in summary proceedings by the channels C8, NRJ12 and Le Média, not chosen this summer by Arcom, the audiovisual regulator, during the procedure for reallocation of TNT frequencies , ruling that the emergency condition is “not met”.
In three separate decisions, the highest French administrative court has specified that these appeals will be studied on the merits by the end of November.
In July, Arcom unveiled its pre-selection for the reallocation of 15 TV frequencies in 2025, ruling out the renewal of NRJ12 and C8 whose lease expires at the end of February and not retaining the radical left web TV Le Média.
Two newcomers were preferred: OFTV (Ouest France group) and RéelsTV (CMI France, from Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky).
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.
NRJ12 and its owner NRJ Group preferred to take the lead, announcing that they had contacted the Council of State to challenge Arcom’s decision.
C8, which has a fine of 7.6 million euros due to the slip-ups of its star host Cyril Hanouna, followed suit, citing a situation that was “particular with regard to the economic, social and competitive issues generated (… ) for an existing television channel (…) for almost 20 years”, according to a press release from its owner Canal+, in the fold of conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré via the Vivendi group.
The renewal of frequencies has also stirred up the political sphere. LFI deputy Aurélien Saintoul, rapporteur for a commission of inquiry into TNT, notably deplored in July that Arcom had accepted the candidacy of CNews, accused by many left-wing politicians of promoting far-right ideas, which she disputes.
Digital terrestrial television (DTT), launched in 2005 in mainland France, still largely structures the French audiovisual landscape and remains the only mode of television reception for nearly 20% of households equipped with a set.
