There are channels, such as TF1 and M6 in recent weeks, which wanted nothing more than a new authorization to broadcast on DTT for the next ten years. And then there is Canal+, which has just done everything to halve the duration of the extension of its authorization that it was applying for with Arcom (Audiovisual and digital communication regulatory authority, ex-CSA).
“Canal+ has obtained authorization from Arcom to renew its DTT frequency for a period of 18 months, i.e. until June 5, 2025”, reported the group in a press release, Wednesday, March 8, without further comment. In 2020, when the pay channel had worked to renew its authorization, it had made sure to limit it to three years. As this expires on December 5, 2023, discussions to see it extended had begun on an identical basis.
Passes d’armes
However, for the sake of« agility » and flexibility of adaptation to the market, explains an internal voice to the group, eighteen months finally seemed sufficient to Canal+. One way for the flagship channel of the Canal+ group, a subsidiary of Vivendi, to be the mistress of the clocks. The date of June 5, 2025 falling between that of February 28, 2025, the expiry date of C8’s authorization, and August 31, 2025, the deadline set for CNews (and CStar), it could indeed prove to be ideal in the event of a showdown with the regulator.
The latest battles with the Minister of Culture Rima Abdul Malak – who recalled that the renewal of authorizations for C8 and CNews would be examined in the light of the sanctions to which they are regularly subject – are not unrelated to this new schedule. In the event of difficulty in obtaining a new green light for these two channels, Canal+ could threaten to give up its own broadcasting of DTT.
The damage for it would be limited: a decreasing share of its subscribers (less than 5% when) goes through this mode of distribution. On the other hand, this disappearance would be equivalent to freeing the chain of its obligations of investments in the French cinema, that is to say a little less than 200 million euros per annum. Even if Canal+ needs films, the main reason for subscription, it could decide to lower the sails as it sees fit.