32 candidates for 13 mobile TV frequencies
January 18, 2008
From Sotires Eleftheriou in Paris
The French broadcasting regulator CSA received 32 candidates for the 13 mobile TV DVB-H frequencies by the closing time for applications. Many of the proposals come from existing channels broadcast on traditional platforms (DTT, cable, satellite, IPTV). In addition there were some created specifically for the mobile platform; whether mobile phone or pocket TV. Under the rules no candidate can be attributed more than three frequencies.
Among the candidates from the major broadcasting groups were TF1 with three channels (TF1, LCI, Eurosport), Canal+ also with three channels (Canal+, i-Tele, Infosport) and M6 with three channels (M6, W9 and Teva). The new broadcasters who have come into the sector with the launch of DTT were also present: Bolloré (Direct 8 Mobile), Lagardere Active with six projects (Elle TMP, Canal JMP, Gulli, Virgin 17, MTP1 and MCM Top), NRJ (with NRJ 12), Groupe AB (with NT1 Remix) and NextRadioTV with three projects (BFM TV News, Business 24/7 and RMC sport).
Orange one of the main MNOs also filed an application as a content provider with O’TV and Orange Sport TV, the latter channel already being present on its mobile network. The press was also present: L’Equipe with its L’Equipe TV sports channel, while the financial daily Les Echos and the horseracing channel Equidia joined forces in a project called E3TV. Alain Weill, who is buying the financial daily La Tribune, has a project called Business 24/7.