Orange intends to enter paid DTT in France

After two programs were left free due to the return of licenses by AB1 Groupe AB and Lagardere, Orange would be interested in participating in the CSA's tender for this spectrum.

France Telecom could fully enter the pay DTT business in France through its subsidiary Orange. At this moment, the Conseil Supérieur de L'Audiovisuel (CSA) is preparing the tender for two DTT programs that will occupy the space left free by returning their licenses AB1 Groupe AB in October 2008 and Lagardere Interactive Canal J, in April 2009.

Currently, digital terrestrial in France has 18 channels, 18 FTA channels (and up to 23 in some specific regions), five in high definition and nine pay. However, after the closure of two pay channels and the acquisition of TnTop by TV Numeric, serious doubts loom over the viability of this DTT business.
Orange TV currently maintains several pay channels on its IPTV platform with channels such as Orange Sport and Orange Cinema Series.

At the moment the French digital terrestrial network offers at least 18 FTA channels (more in some regions) and nine pay TV channels, as well as five simultaneous broadcasts in high definition. With the closure of the two pay channels and the recent acquisition of TnTop by digital television, there are some doubts about the viability of premium channels on the terrestrial platform.