France's TNT Channel Shuffle: Historic Overhaul Reorganizes Lineup, Enhances Viewer Experience
January 13, 2025
The reallocation of channels is designed to enhance viewer access and improve the quality of information presented, particularly targeting younger audiences.
The changes come as Canal+ withdraws its channels from TNT, effective at the end of June 2025, creating vacancies that allow for this major reshuffling.
Emmanuel Kessler, CEO of LCP-Assemblée Nationale, hailed the announcement as historic, enhancing visibility for LCP as it moves to channel 8.
Despite the overall positive reception from most broadcasters, BFM-TV has expressed discontent, with its director questioning the rationale behind altering established viewer habits.
Roch-Olivier Maistre, the outgoing president of Arcom, stated that the changes aim to improve public understanding of TNT offerings while minimizing viewer disruption.
The new channel placements will also lead to temporary black screens on channels 8 and 12 during the transition.
In addition to the channel reshuffling, two new channels, CMI TV and OFTV, are set to launch on June 6 and September 1, 2025, respectively.
On January 13, 2025, the Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique (Arcom) announced a significant overhaul of the TNT (digital terrestrial television) channel numbering system.
The new numbering system, effective June 6, 2025, will see France 4 take over channel 4, while continuous news channels BFM, CNews, LCI, and Franceinfo will be grouped on channels 13 to 16.
This reorganization is unprecedented since the establishment of TNT in 2005, marking a departure from the previous practice where newer channels received higher, less memorable numbers.
The complete new channel lineup includes major channels like TF1, France 2, and M6 retaining their positions, while Gulli will advance from channel 18 to channel 12.
Overall, the changes reflect a strategic move to maintain market equilibrium while updating the TNT landscape to better serve the public interest.
Summary based on 9 sources