France's HD DTT ambitions face problems

French plans for eight digital terrestrial HD channels to be available by the end of the year are facing delay due to a lack of enthusiasm from broadcasters.

Licences for free-to-air HD channels were issued last week to France 2 and Arte, both run by state broadcaster France Televisions, and privately-operated TF1 and M6.

The Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel had hoped several broadcasters would launch subscription HD DTT services but last week it announced that only Canal+ had applied for a licence.

Additionally, France Televisions, operator of France 2 and Arte, is slowing its investment in HD because of uncertainty about its funding, saying it will show none of this year's Olympic Games in the format.

Advertising will soon be banned from the broadcaster's channels during primetime under a mandate from president Nicholas Sarkozy.

In January the CSA said it wanted eight terrestrial HD channels to be available in some areas by the end of the year.