The new reorganization of the TNT channels, announced by Arcom, marks a turning point in the French media landscape. Starting June 6, the news channels will be grouped into a block to provide a smoother experience for viewers. At the same time, France 4 will take the slot left vacant by Canal+, resulting in significant changes to channel numbering. This initiative aims to improve access to information while simplifying navigation on remote controls.
A disruption of the numbering
The changes made by Arcom to the numbering of the TNT channels promise greater readability for viewers. The president of Arcom, Roch-Olivier Maistre, expressed the desire not to force a “big upheaval”, but the forthcoming reorganizations will still reshuffle the deck. With the departure of certain channels, notably Canal+, the numbering of the channels will deeply change. France 4, for example, which was previously in position 14, will occupy channel 4, reinforcing the link between the channel’s name and its position on the remote.
A block dedicated to news channels
One of the major changes is the creation of a block of news channels, which will group BFMTV, CNews, LCI, and Franceinfo, from channel 13 to channel 16. This new arrangement aims to offer simpler and more coherent access to various information offerings, emphasizing the *plurality* of sources. Roch-Olivier Maistre emphasized that public interest guided this decision to arrange a logical and smooth presentation of content.
The repercussions on BFMTV
The channel BFMTV is at the heart of this reorganization and has expressed its dissatisfaction with the creation of a block of news channels. According to some analyses, this reconfiguration could lead to a significant audience drop of about 15%. While BFMTV hoped to maintain its dominant position, it is now relegated to 13th position, just behind CNews which will occupy channel 14. Despite this, experts emphasize that the editorial line and programming quality will remain essential to capture viewers’ attention.
The reaction of exiting channels
The eviction of C8 and NRJ 12, which will leave their spots in positions 8 and 12, has also sparked reactions. These positions will be assigned to LCP/Public Sénat and Gulli, expanding the range of channels available for users. This initiative aims to benefit both youth and political information. However, legal actions regarding these decisions remain possible, as certain channels, like BFMTV, claim to be disadvantaged by these changes.
A new audiovisual landscape
The updated numbering, which will start on June 6, will introduce a new audiovisual landscape. Here is an excerpt: TF1 (1), France 2 (2), France 3 (3), France 4 (4), France 5 (5), M6 (6), Arte (7), LCP/Public Sénat (8), W9 (9), TMC (10), TFX (11), Gulli (12), BFMTV (13), CNews (14), LCI (15), Franceinfo (16), CStar (17), CMI TV (18), OFTV (19), and many more. This change will mark an important step in the evolution of television channels and the organization of the French audiovisual space.
