DTT reaches 37% of homes in France

The proportion of French homes with a digital terrestrial television receiver has doubled in a year to 37%.

More than 17.4m receivers have been sold or rented since March 2005, according to research firm GfK. They include 4.4m set-top boxes distributed by branded DTT services from operators such as Canal Plus and Orange.

The analogue terrestrial switch-off in France is expected to be complete in 2011 - at least a year ahead of the UK.

In the UK, the latest figures show that 37.4% of homes receive only DTT on their main set. More than 27m Freeview DTT products have been sold since the service launched in October 2002. In December, the main set in 12.4% of homes remained analogue-only.

As well as having had an earlier switchover, France has more developed plans for high definition channels on DTT. Five channels are expected to start broadcasting during the third quarter of this year.

To support the change, regulation will be tougher than in the UK; from December, all new TVs and set-top boxes must support MPEG-4 compression and HD.

UK plans for HD DTT could see up to three channels introduced in some areas late next year, though 2010 is more likely, and plans are at an early stage. MPEG-4 receivers will be required for the services, but manufacturers are not compelled to equip new products with the technology.