France: C8 appeals to State Council after Arcom's decision not to renew its DTT frequency

"C8 is firmly opposed to Arcom's decision to exclude it from renewing its DTT frequency, and has lodged an application with the Conseil d'État (French State Council) for interim suspension," announced French pay- and free-TV group Canal+, the channel's owner, on 19/09/2024. "Such a decision by Arcom is unprecedented in the history of DTT since its creation in 2005."

Arcom announced the shortlist of channels that had applied for 15 national DTT frequencies from 2025 (see below), on 24/07/2024. The C8 (Canal+ group) and NRJ 12 (NRJ group) projects were not selected (unlike the new OF TV and RéelsTV projects). These two channels have had a DTT frequency since 31/03/2005. "Arcom based its decision on the criteria set out in articles 29, 30 and 30-1 of the Act of 30/09/1986, assessing in particular the interest of each project for the public in the light of the overriding requirement of pluralism of socio-cultural expression," explained the authority at the time.

"C8 is launching this dispute with the knowledge of existing case law, taking the view that C8's situation is special in terms…