What is TNT?

The media regulator, Arcom, launches the process of renewing digital terrestrial television frequencies on Wednesday and 15 channels are affected in 2025.

On February 28, Arcom launched a call for applications to renew 15 digital terrestrial television (DTT) frequencies and will interview the management of the channels concerned, in particular C8 and CNews, which have accumulated warnings and sanctions in recent years. years. Today, of all households that have a TV, nearly 20% watch it only via DTT. By comparison, television via ADSL, cable or fiber is watched by nearly 70% of equipped households. The rest is satellite television. TNT, launched in 2005, has the advantage of broadcasting many more channels than the old analog television, which only had seven.

Some 30 national channels and 42 local

In mainland France, there are 30 national channels, five of which are pay-as-you-go. To these national channels, we must add 42 local or regional channels. TNT channels are broadcast in high definition. A large proportion of those who only watch channels via DTT do so because the offer is mostly free. These are people with modest incomes, often elderly and who do not necessarily watch a lot of television.

Several reasons to be present in broadcast

The broadcaster is certain to reach the 20% of households who only watch DTT. Then, on cable or satellite networks, it is almost obligatory to include the TNT channels with their numbering. Finally, these channels should soon be visible on the interfaces of connected televisions, multimedia gateways (like AppleTV or Chromecast), or even game consoles.

Channels must pass in front of Arcom to broadcast

Their authorization to broadcast is not eternal. Last year, TF1 and M6 were renewed for 10 years. To do this, they have made commitments in terms of programs and information, in particular. For 2025, there are therefore 15 other private channels which must be renewed, among them, C8 and CNews, regularly criticized for non-compliance with their obligations in terms of pluralism and independence of information. It is possible that new channel projects will knock on Arcom’s door. Finally, public channels are not affected by this call for applications.