French pay-TV continues to grow

Pay-TV customer in France numbered 10.4 million at the end of 2008, according to figures released by media regulator the CSA.

According to the CSA, 41% of France’s 25.5 million TV homes took pay services at that date, with satellite accounting for 3.8 million, ADSL accounting for 3.7 million, cable for 2.6 million and digital-terrestrial for a further 300,000. Pay-TV ad revenues fell by 5% to €172m, while subscriptions grew by 6% top €705.4m.

The number of pay channels in France numbered 116, up from 107 in 2007. Fourteen new services were licensed in 2009. The pay-TV sector produced revenues of €1.219bn in 2008, up 8% year-on-year, representing 15% of all TV revenues, with the launch of sports services including Orange Sport and Ma Chaîne Sport contributing to the increase.

Separately, the CSA has issued a warning to satellite operator Eutelsat over broadcasts by the Palestinian Al Aqsa channel on March 9 and May 14 and 15. According to the CSA, the broadcasts included incitation to hatred or violence on the grounds of race, religion or nationality.