Orange eyes pay-DTT channel

France Telecom/Orange is considering a bid for at least one DTT pay-TV channel in France, according to local reports.

Regulator the CSA could auction off two DTT channels that are not currently being used by broadcasters later this year and Orange would consider bidding for at least one, according to a source cited by Reuters.

The move would come as the telco faces a renewed threat to its exclusive sport and movies TV rights following the delivery of a government-commissioned report that has recommended legislation to regulate exclusive distribution of pay-TV content, to be overseen by telecom watchdog ARCEP. The report makes it likely that Orange will be forced to change the way it markets pay-TV services, which include exclusive Ligue 1 football rights and exclusive rights to HBO series and Warner Bros movies.