![TNT frequencies: several new entrants want to launch their TV channel TNT frequencies: several new entrants want to launch their TV channel](https://media.lesechos.com/api/v1/images/view/6644d2b2bc6e6e25065b9e7c/1280x720/0902150132470-web-tete.jpg)
TNT has not lost its appeal. While Arcom had set Wednesday noon as the maximum deadline for submitting an application for a DTT frequency, as part of the renewal of 15 frequencies expiring next year, several potential new entrants have come forward.
Having to first check the admissibility of the files received – any procedural error or missing document could be prohibitive – the audiovisual policeman is refusing to make any comments for the moment. But some names are known. The channels that already hold a frequency, and which should in principle all want to keep it, will face competition in particular from “L’Express TV”, which presented its project to the press on Wednesday, as well as from “Ouest-France TV”, according to information from “La Lettre” that we were able to confirm with the regional daily.
Call for applications
Another channel project is supported by Daniel Kretinsky’s media group, CMI France, according to “Le Figaro” – information confirmed by our sources. On the other hand, Xavier Niel and his company NJJ, an unsuccessful candidate for the frequency of M6 last year, did not intend to apply in this renewal cycle, according to our information. The Mediawan group did not apply either.
The president of Arcom, Roch-Olivier Maistre, having assured that the game was “open”, the new candidates took him at his word and will defend their chances. In the PAF, there are murmurs that the argument of the territories could weigh in the balance of Arcom, while on the other hand any project for a new news channel would be more difficult to pass in an already cluttered landscape. But everything will also depend on the economic solidity of the files and their ability to justify skills in television.
Free and paid channels
Current frequency holders will, for their part, have to fight to keep their place and convince the wise people of the need for their presence, including channels which are not profitable, have little audience or are regularly sanctioned by Arcom. The eyes of certain observers in the sector are thus turning in particular to NRJ12 (1% audience share in 2023 according to Médiamétrie), but also C8 and CNews, two channels often caught up in controversies, but including the chairman of the group’s management board Canal+, Maxime Saada, recalled the audience successes during a Senate hearing.
After the renewals of the frequencies of TF1 and M6 in 2023, the current call for applications is particularly important. Not since the advent of digital terrestrial television in 2005 have so many frequencies been brought into play. Next year, ten free channels will see their DTT licenses expire: TMC, TFX and LCI, in the TF1 group, W9 and Gulli in the M6 group, C8, CNews and CStar in the Canal+ group and finally BFMTV (Altice Media in the process of being acquired by CMA CGM) and NRJ12 (NRJ group). In addition, there are 5 pay DTT channels, including four in the Canal+ group (Canal+, Canal+ Sport, Canal+ Cinéma, Planète +) and Paris Première (M6 group).
The BFMTV case
A separate case seems to be that of BFMTV. The takeover process by the shipowner CMA CGM of Altice Media (which includes BFMTV but also RMC) is progressing as planned with a view to closing during the summer. But the operation must also obtain green lights from Arcom (approval of the change of control) and the antitrust at the same time. Is the BFMTV renewal file presented by the current or future owner, or both? The group, which has just announced the recruitment of the former boss of M6 Nicolas de Tavernost, makes no comments, but will ensure that the news channel does what is necessary to maintain its frequency.
The auditions of the candidates will begin on July 8 and could last around ten days, depending on the number of projects. After selecting the files, in the weeks that follow, Arcom will then begin negotiations with the selected candidates with a view to concluding the agreements, that is to say the “contracts” which determine the commitments and obligations of the publishers of the channels, and which are the counterpart to the concession of public frequencies. The authorizations to be issued would be issued by the end of 2024.