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TF1 ready to pull FTA channels from SFR and Canal OTT

April 12, 2017

From Pascale Paoli-Lebailly in Paris

French commercial media group TF1 is threatening to withdraw its FTA channels from the OTT platforms of some French IPTV operators, with an ultimatum given to SFR and Canal+ set for April 30th, daily Les Echos reports. Subscribers to Canal+ and SFR would not see free DTT channels TF1, TMC, NT1, HD1 and LCI on myCanal service either on Free’s website and app.

Last February, TF1 said it was looking to raise its revenues by making IPTV operators such as Free, Orange and SFR pay to carry its DTT channels.

“In Belgium, our feed is paid for by Orange and Altice,” head of advertising and diversification at TF1 Régis Ravanas remarked last February, adding TF1 was determined to obtain a better share of value in exchange for its premium offering. Orange has always said in a that it didn’t “ plan to pay for distributing a free DTT channel, but is working with TF1 to create new additional and value-creating services for the profit of both groups.

TF1’s position seems relatively weak as the group can’t cut itself from the 50 per cent of viewers receiving TV from an IPTV box. Telcos are also among the biggest advertisers on TF1 channels.

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, DTT/DSO, FTA, OTT