Blocking the bypassing of advertising spots during delayed viewing on boxes was demanded by TF1: “Our authorization to broadcast channels is conditional on the implementation of this functionality”, Free explains today.
The TF1 group recently made a decision that makes many Free subscribers cringe: blocking the skipping of advertisements on its channels (TF1, TMC, TFX and TF1 Séries Films) on Freeboxes via start-over and control of direct. This restriction has also recently been implemented on Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and myCanal boxes. This Tuesday, December 17, Free for its part gave details on the origin of this sudden limitation: “this decision comes from the channels which demanded the implementation with all distributors of television services”, explains the operator on
Free also explains that the implementation of this blockage does not result from its own will, but results directly from the conditions imposed by TF1. “Our authorization to broadcast channels is conditional on the implementation of this functionality”declared the operator, pointing the finger at the contractual requirements of the channels. Thus, TF1 would have made this restriction a prerequisite for the broadcast of its streams on the boxes.
Concretely, this means that it is no longer possible to circumvent advertising breaks during delayed viewing by skipping advertisements or resuming a program at a specific moment without viewing them. For TF1, this decision is part of a strategy aimed at protecting its advertising revenue due to changes in viewers' consumption habits. By requiring distributors to block this possibility, the TF1 group seeks to guarantee that the spots broadcast during programs are seen by all viewers, even in the context of delayed consumption as is already the case on replay.
This article was reprinted on the Univers FreeBox website
