Decision on TF1 channels delayed until end of May

French commercial broadcaster TF1 had extended its tender process for service providers to make offers to distribute its digital channels by two weeks, in a move to strike an improved deal for the channels.

The country’s ISPs had originally been given until Wednesday this week to make offers for rights to distribute channels Eurosport, LCI, Stylia, TV Breizh, Ushuaïa and Histoire. TF1 has until now distributed its thematic channels exclusively on the CanalSat platform under a deal that saw TF1 net €64 million a year. However, the pay TV operator is now looking to carry only Eurosport, TV Breizh and Histoire, on a non-exclusive basis, for less than €20 million.

ISPs Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom are expected to finalize offers for carriage by the end of the month, with Free holding back from making a bid at this time.