Arcom opens bidding for six French DTT channel licences
October 8, 2026 12.39 Europe/London By Julian Clover


French media regulator Arcom has launched a call for applications for six national digital terrestrial television licences that expire in December 2027.

The process covers the HD broadcasting licences currently held by 6ter, L’Équipe, RMC Découverte, RMC Life, RMC Story and TF1 Séries Films.

The six channels will face a new licensing process as Arcom determines the future composition of France’s free-to-air terrestrial television offering.

The regulator has aligned the expiry dates of the new licences with those awarded during its previous licensing round. Successful applicants will receive authorisations running until 2035.

Arcom said the common expiry date would make it easier to reorganise the national DTT channel line-up in the future, should changes to the market or distribution environment make this necessary.

The process is open to applicants seeking to operate national HD television services on the DTT platform. Existing licence holders will need to participate if they wish to retain their terrestrial broadcasting rights beyond December 2027.

Prospective applicants must request electronic submission instructions from Arcom by midday on 1 December 2026, with completed applications due by midday on 15 December 2026.

The licensing round comes as France continues to assess the future of terrestrial broadcasting alongside the growth of IPTV and streaming distribution.

By aligning the licences to 2035, Arcom is creating a common regulatory timetable for future decisions about the national DTT platform.