L’équipe could launch free digital-terrestrial TV channel

French sports newspaper L’Équipe could launch its TV channel on the country’s digital-terrestrial platform, according to local reports.

L’Équipe TV is currently available on Numericable’s cable platform as well as the CanalSat DTH platform and SFR’s IPTV service, with an overall audience share of about 0.2%, according to Médiamétrie. Director-general François Morinière said that the group would be a candidate for a free DTT HD frequency if regulator CSA confirmed its intentions regarding a call for candidates to make proposals for the possible launch of a channel at the end of this year.

The launch of a DTT channel would require an investment of over €30 million, according to Morinière, who added that the group envisaged capturing about 1% of the overall TV advertising market.