Big upheaval around TNT numbers, things are complaining at BFM and CNews

From next March, C8 et NRJ 12 will give way to Real TV et OF TVtwo new channels supported respectively by Daniel Kretinsky’s group, CMI France, and West France. If this change already promises to reorganize the audiovisual landscape, the Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication (Arcom) plans to go further by reorganizing the numbering of information channels, as revealed on the site The Informed.

Channel numbers, a highly strategic placement

This project strongly reacts to Nicolas de Tavernost, boss of BFMwho takes a very dim view of the upheaval of channel positions. Currently positioned on channel 15, BFM risks finding herself surrounded by newcomers like LCI et France Infowhich could benefit from better placement, in channels 17 and 18.

For the manager, this reorganization is a “ heist » which would unduly benefit its competitors and weaken the position of BFM. According to him, a change in numbering would penalize up to 17% of his channel’s audience, a significant shortfall for his turnover.

The placement of channels is not trivial: it directly influences their visibility, and therefore their audience and their advertising revenue. Arcom, whose president Roch-Olivier Maistre will leave his post in January, could take advantage of this context to impose a revision of the numbering, by grouping the news channels into a thematic block. This idea, supported by LCI et France Infowould offer these channels more direct access to viewers who mainly use their remote control to zap.

This project faces strong opposition. BFM therefore, and CNewswell established in channels 15 and 16, denounce what they consider to be favoritism in favor of channels that perform less well in terms of audience, such as France Info. Nicolas de Tavernost even commissioned a survey showing that 81% of French people do not want change, a figure intended to have weight in the public debate and with Arcom.

At the same time, Arcom is studying an option to allocate to Gold et CStar more strategic numbers, such as channels 8 and 12, to compensate for their initial movement as part of this reorganization. This compromise could also allow “Touche pas à mon poste” to remain on channel 8, which will not displease Cyril Hanouna and his fans.

Another solution considered would be to create a block dedicated to youth channels, with Gold in 13 and CStar in 12, and to move the parliamentary channel LCP/Public Senate on channel 8. This repositioning of LCP could promote its resources by increasing its visibility, while limiting its impact on the advertising market thanks to a model based on sponsorships.

The fact remains that this redistribution, as logical as it seems to some, risks encountering legal disputes. BFMin the wake of CNewscould refer the matter to the Council of State to contest this reshuffle. The channel advocates for a reallocation of numbers by drawing lots, considering that any other method introduces a form of discrimination.

For new entrants, Real TV et OF TVthere is little choice left and channels 19 and 26 already seem to be reserved for them.

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