INTERVIEW
On August 9, the channels France 4 and France Ô will disappear from TNT, leaving free channels 14 and 19. An upheaval that attracts the news channels LCI, currently broadcast on channel 26 of TNT, and France info ( channel 27). Their objective is clear: to get closer to channels 15 and 16, corresponding to the competing channels BFMTV and Cnews. Why such a desire on the part of LCI? Invited in Culture Media on Tuesday, Thierry Thuillier, director of information for the TF1 group, who oversees the editors of TF1 and LCI, explained why he defends "this position of the info block".
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This grouping of continuous news channels already exists, through boxes where "the French have, thanks to Internet service providers (Orange, Bouygues etc.), access to an info block", estimates- he. According to Thierry Thuillier, this merger of LCI will make it possible to put this pool of channels even more in value, "in a context of strong demand for verified, serious information and anti-fake news" on the part of the televiewers.
Towards high definition
Thierry Thuillier also promises that this "info block" will pave the way for the transition from LCI to high definition (HD). "It is an investment but also a commitment by TF1 in information, because we are going to invest in technology to improve service to viewers," he said. If it is answered, the wish of the director of information of LCI should not upset the list of the chains of the DVB. "We are not asking for a reversal of the order but we are talking about a regrouping", explains Thierry Thuillier.
When will this change take place? According to the magazine Challenges , the Superior council of the audio-visual one (CSA) will not intervene before the 1st quarter 2021, because "it is necessary to let pass the period of preemption of the government", giving the right to the State to appropriate an available channel.
"The CSA maneuvering"
"We have sent a letter to the CSA to make us available in discussions that will take place when the CSA wishes," says Thierry Thuillier, adding that "the CSA will be at work" and "will be master of clocks and decisions". "To my knowledge, the CSA never undertook to give frequencies in August 2020", he continues. "It is a decision serious enough for it to be documented. There is a need for impact studies and analyzes."
On the competition side, Alain Weill, boss of Altice France (BFM TV, RMC, Liberation etc.), believes that this change would harm BFMTV audiences. But Thierry Thuillier, he keeps his position. "Competition in our trades is healthy, we must not be afraid of it," he reacts.