The broadcasting regulator, Arcom, has announced that it will not immediately launch new channels to replace those recently abandoned by Canal+. This decision concerns the four channels the group vacated in June after withdrawing its pay channels from DTT.
According to Arcom, the current economic climate is not conducive to the arrival of new channels. Television consumption continues to decline, while the advertising market is considered sluggish. This is a rather surprising argument, given that Arcom has not renewed the DTT frequency of C8, which was then the leading DTT channel. Furthermore, Arcom points out that between 2025 and 2030, forecasts predict an average decline of nearly 2% per year for television advertising revenue. Given this, introducing new players risks further weakening existing channels.
Canal group channels will not be replaced
As a reminder, in June, Canal+ stopped broadcasting four pay channels on DTT: Canal+, Canal+ Cinema, Canal+ Sport and PlanetThe group justified this choice by an increasingly restrictive fiscal and regulatory environment.
A reflection on the future of DTT
Rather than immediately launching new calls for applications, Arcom has chosen to initiate a fundamental reflection on the future of digital terrestrial television. The objective is to review the economic model of DTT and adapt the legal framework for audiovisual regulation in order to respond to growing competition from digital platforms.
A first progress report is expected in spring 2026. On that date, Arcom will also launch the procedure for reassigning six frequencies that are due to expire at the end of 2027, including TF1 Séries Films, L'Équipe, 6Ter, RMC Story, RMC Découverte and RMC Life (formerly Chérie 25).
It should be noted that despite the withdrawal of Canal+, DTT has recently seen the arrival of two new channels: T18, supported by the CMI France group, and NOVO19, launched by the Ouest-France group. These channels have very low audiences and are failing to take off or make people forget C8...
