French broadcaster Canal+ has announced it is withdrawing four of its pay-TV channels from digital terrestrial television (DTT).
The company said it had made the decision as it continues to “suffer tax and regulatory decisions” from regulator Arcom that “penalise its operations in France”, including an increase in tax paid to the CNC (The French National Centre of Cinema), threats to its VAT rate, and the decision to withdraw the broadcast licence of its news channel C8.
Canal+ said the decision by Arcom has “profoundly impacted the activities of its pay-TV channels on DTT” and as a result, it will withdraw Canal+, Canal+ Cinéma, Canal+ Sport, and Planète from DTT, which will take effect from June 2025.
It’s thought around 70,000 viewers are still watching the four channels via DTT. They will be offered alternative delivery methods, such as OTT, DTH, ADSL and fibre via telecom operators, said the company.
