Arcom has confirmed the exclusion of C8 and NRJ12 from TNT, finalizing agreements with new frequency holders until 2035. C8, facing financial penalties due to controversies involving host Cyril Hanouna, is considering legal action against the decision. A petition supporting C8 has gained over a million signatures. The regulator emphasized its goal of enhancing diversity in broadcasting, while also announcing job cuts at Canal+ linked to C8’s potential closure. New channels RéelsTV and OFTV will begin broadcasting in 2025.
Arcom Confirms C8 and NRJ12’s Exit from TNT
On Thursday, the audiovisual regulator, Arcom, officially announced the exclusion of C8 and NRJ12 from TNT, a decision that has sparked significant controversy, particularly from Cyril Hanouna’s channel. Arcom stated that it has finalized 11 agreements with new holders of TNT frequencies which extend until 2035, notably excluding C8 and NRJ12. The independent authority emphasized its commitment to enhancing the “diversity” of the audiovisual landscape, adding that the channels that were not selected will receive notifications explaining the reasons for their rejections in the coming days.
C8 and NRJ12 Consider Legal Action
C8, part of the Canal+ group and owned by conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré, has faced considerable financial penalties, totaling 7.6 million euros, primarily due to the controversies surrounding its prominent host, Cyril Hanouna. Both C8 and NRJ12 are contemplating an appeal to the Council of State to challenge Arcom’s final decision. Previous attempts to contest a pre-selection made in July were dismissed because Arcom had not yet issued a final ruling.
In an effort to overturn this decision, C8 has initiated a petition that has garnered over one million signatures, demonstrating popular support for the channel’s continuation. Gérald-Brice Viret, head of Canal+ France, remarked on X that this grassroots movement sends a powerful message to decision-makers, suggesting there is still an opportunity for Arcom to reevaluate its choice. Additionally, the management of Canal+ announced approximately 250 job cuts, with 150 directly linked to the anticipated shutdown of C8 on February 28, as reported by the inter-union of the Vivendi subsidiary.
These job reductions were announced shortly after Canal+ declared its intention to withdraw four pay channels from TNT starting in June 2025, attributing this action to the non-renewal of C8’s frequency and the increasingly challenging fiscal and regulatory environment.
Arcom noted that its decision would not impact the overall number of services authorized for free broadcasting on TNT, and that the possibility of a new allocation of frequencies could be revisited in the future. The regulator will also engage with publishers about service numbering in the coming days and aims to finalize its stance on this critical matter by January.
The initial pre-selection in July, which left C8 out, ignited heated debates in the audiovisual sector, with opinions divided; some viewed it as censorship, while others welcomed the change. By excluding C8, Arcom has signaled to all channels the importance of adhering to their programming obligations. Cyril Hanouna announced that his popular show, TPMP, will take a brief hiatus at the end of February, resuming on March 3, as discussions about the show’s future continue.
In Arcom’s final selection, the regulator chose to grant licenses to two new entrants: RéelsTV (backed by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky) and OFTV (part of the Ouest-France group). These channels are set to commence broadcasting on March 1, 2025, and September 1, 2025, respectively. Arcom’s president, Roch-Olivier Maistre, highlighted the significance of diversity in representation, particularly in the choice of OFTV, while expressing confidence that RéelsTV will enrich the content landscape with its documentaries and debates.