France’s LCI Channel Receives Approval for Free-to-Air Move

PARIS: The French media regulator Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) has authorized the migration of LCI to free-to-air DTT, subject to "commitments."

The French news channel has been operating since 1994. The CSA has now cleared the way for the service to become available on freeview DTT. Around 20 million euros ($21.7 million) will be invested in the project in 2016, with an objective to break even by 2019. The commitments, put forward by the TF1 group and accepted by the CSA, are compatible with LCI’s successful migration to free-to-air television both on an editorial and economic basis.

Nonce Paolini, the chairman and CEO of the TF1 group, said: “I would like to thank the CSA for this decision, which provides LCI with the possibility of being accessible to all viewers on free-to-air DTT. LCI has been the pioneering news channel for over 20 years. I am delighted for the employees and for pluralism in France.”

Catherine Nayl, executive VP for news and information at the TF1 group, added: “I am pleased for the teams at LCI, who have done a terrific job for many years. I am also pleased that TV viewers have gained access to an alternative news offering. We are taking up this challenge with enthusiasm and passion.”