Louise Bernard and Solene Delinger
Seized by the TF1 group following the cut of its channels distributed by Canal +, the Association of Mayors of France alerted Arcom, according to a letter from its president David Lisnard made public on Twitter. The president of the AMF is concerned about a breach of equality between municipalities in access to television channels.
Seized by the TF1 group, the Association of Mayors of France (AMF) sent a letter to Arcom. Canal+ and TF1 have not found a financial agreement to renew the broadcasting contract for TF1 channels via Canal. The Canal + group decided on Friday to stop broadcasting the programs of the Bouygues group subsidiary not only on its classic offers but also on the satellite offer called TNT Sat.
Two million people would be deprived of access to certain channels
If the mayors of France get involved, it is because, in certain white areas, TF1 channels are only received via Canal +, that is to say the satellite offer. The inhabitants of these areas therefore find themselves deprived of access to these channels. Two million people would be affected, according to the TF1 group. And it was precisely he who seized the Association of Mayors of France on the subject.
A “break in equality between municipalities in access to television channels”
Its president, the mayor of Cannes David Lisnard therefore reacted by writing a letter to Arcom. This letter was made public on Monday. He specifies that he does not want to “interfere in a commercial dispute between two audiovisual groups” but, all the same, denounces the “break in equality between the municipalities in access to television channels”. And he calls out to Arcom, for ” know the arrangements made”.
Interruption of the broadcasting of TF1 group channels in white areas, the AMF, seized by TF1, writes to ARCOM. pic.twitter.com/biBkzuaLr4
—AMF | mayors of France (@l_amf) September 12, 2022
Arcom’s response was communicated late Monday afternoon. She says she is “very concerned that this dispute finds a quick solution”. Because “all French people, regardless of their place of residence, must be able to access free DTT channels at no cost”. But it also recalls that the law does not allow Arcom to “force operators to remedy this harmful situation”.