Decision by the French media regulator on LCI's request

Boulogne-Billancourt, December 17, 2015

Decision of the French broadcasting authority CSA on the request
or the migration of LCI to free-to-air DTT

Good news for TF1 Group about the decision of the French broadcasting authority (CSA) to authorise the migration of LCI to free-to-air digital terrestrial television (DTT) subject to the “commitments”.

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.

Launched in 1994, LCI is a pioneering French news channel. For over 20 years it has been dedicated to providing viewers with top-quality news. LCI will now be available on freeview DTT, and this is great news for everyone at the channel. 

Some €20 million will be invested in the project in 2016, with a break-even objective set for 2019.

Commenting, Nonce Paolini, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 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 Vice-President, News and Information at the TF1 group, said: “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.”