For the past few weeks, the French audiovisual landscape has been marked by a blockage of channels from the TF1 group in thousands of households subscribed to Canal+. The situation keeps escalating, with the government increasing its pressure on Canal+ to find a solution to this dispute. As millions of viewers find themselves deprived of access to major channels, the question of the commercial negotiations between the two groups raises many concerns.
A lingering conflict
On September 2, 2022, subscribers to the Canal+ service were informed that they could no longer access the free channels of the TF1 group, including TF1, TF1 Séries Films, TMC, LCI, and TFX. This blockage affects a significant number of households, which find themselves unable to watch programs they have included in their subscriptions. Whether on their television via a decoder or on mobile devices through the myCanal app, viewers are bearing the brunt of this decision.
TF1’s reaction
In response to this situation, TF1 expressed its dissatisfaction and affirmed its willingness to find a favorable solution. In a statement, the group reminded that, unlike Canal+, its channels are accessible through other distributors such as Free, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and Orange. TF1 emphasized that Canal+’s refusal to finalize a new agreement despite several weeks of negotiations deprives its subscribers of content for which they pay. The group remains open to discussions to ensure the availability of its channels and services.
Impact on viewership
TF1 has already observed a significant drop in its viewership, estimated at around 15% since the beginning of this blockage. The flagship program, the 8 PM News, has even been surpassed by that of France 2, marking a worrying turning point in this conflict. This situation raises concerns about the sustainability of the television offering for viewers accustomed to these contents. The repercussions could extend beyond viewership, potentially impacting the economic stakes for the TF1 group.
The government’s reaction
The French government, through its Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul-Malak, has taken a position in the face of this stalemate. Although the minister refused to intervene directly in this commercial conflict, she nevertheless urged Canal+ to show responsibility and public interest in order to avoid depriving hundreds of thousands of households of access to all TNT channels. This message demonstrates the government’s concern regarding the implications of this blockage for consumers.
The context of the negotiations
The discussions underlying the blockage of the channels take place in a broader context, as the TF1 group is in the midst of a merger with M6. This new entity could hold a dominant position in the market, accounting for 75% of television advertising revenue. This situation could also prompt TF1 to demand more money from distributors like Canal+. Maxime Saada, Chairman of the Board of Canal+, revealed that TF1 was asking for a 50% increase for access to its content, a condition that is difficult for Canal+ to accept.
What solutions are being considered?
The two groups still seem to be in the midst of negotiations, contrary to the rigid stance taken by Canal+. TF1 has reiterated its openness to new dialogues to establish a quick solution that could restore access to the blocked channels. It is essential that discussions take place quickly to avoid further damaging the relationship between Canal+, TF1, and the viewers, who find themselves caught in this commercial conflict.
To learn more about other cases involving similar blockages, you can consult this article on the radical decision of the French government or on the censorship in Turkey.
