France Télévisions ad ban impact less than expected

French public broadcaster France Télévisions has suffered less than was expected from the partial ban on advertising imposed on it in February, according to local press.

The transfer of advertising to commercial channels as a result of the ban on advertising on France Télévisions channels after 20:00 was less than expected to the tune of €70m up to the beginning of July, according to a report in Le Monde. However, the government has signalled that it intends to capitalise on this windfall by reducing the €450m it had promised to the public broadcaster in recompense for the loss of ad revenue as a result of the ban, according to the paper. This compensation agreement is itself under review by the European Commission for possible effects on the distortion of competition.