France’s channels agree on satellite switchover

France’s seven national terrestrial channels – TF1, France 2, France 3, Canal Plus, France 5, M6 and Arte – have agreed to simultaneously end the analogue transmission of their services on the AB3 satellite as part of the country’s move to digital switchover.

All the channels plan to switch off analogue in the Languedoc Roussillon region in southern France – the last to go digital – at the end of November 2011, except Canal Plus, which is working to a more advanced schedule, and the AB3 analogue signal will be switched off at that time. Digital versions of the channels, including the 24 regional variations of France 3 will continue to be available via the free-to-air digital satellite platforms TNTSat on Astra and Fransat on AB3.