Digital terrestrial radio will never come to France - report

The introduction of digital terrestrial radio in France is more uncertain than ever, reports Les Echos. The country's four main private radio groups (RTL, NRJ, Lagardere, NextRadio TV) have repeatedly told the prime minister's office of their opposition to the project due to cost, estimated at an additional EUR 2-4 million per year, per network. They see no economic benefits from a switch from analogue to digital terrestrial, but support digital radio over IP and want to see internet radio added to the government's efforts to reduce the broadband gap. Small stations, however, are in favour of a switch over, which would give them a chance to extend their reach nationally. The government, which awaits an imminent report from David Kessler on the subject, is wary of spending too much to switch Radio France and subsidised community radio to digital terrestrial. A preliminary report in October already set the tone, pointing to other countries' digital terrestrial radio 'failures'. It may also be called to support independent stations' investment. Short of a miracle, concludes Les Echos, it will not be launched despite the best efforts of its main champion, media regulator CSA, and legislation requiring its introduction.