Free’s customers may soon be unable to view TF1’s five channels via their TV set-top-box, based on information gathered by Universe Freebox. A message warning about the forthcoming suspension is briefly showing on the screen when Free’s customers access the channels, blaming the new distribution terms imposed by TF1 for the action.
In line with recent press reports, Free seems ready to take the same stance as Canal Plus, which decided to stop broadcasting TF1’s five TV channels earlier this month. While the contract between Free and TF1 is set to expire on 31 March, a date for the planned suspension has not yet been communicated.
Commenting on the dispute, Canal Plus CEO Maxime Saada told Le Figaro that TF1 was trying to drag out talks and use the football World Cup, starting in mid-June, as a strong bargaining chip. TF1 holds the rights to the matches on a free-to-air basis on the national digital TV platform and Saada is keen to reach a favourable distribution agreement before the start of the competition.
Orange is embroiled in a similar dispute with TF1, which took a different position with the operator by asking for the removal of its five channels from the Orange platform. Conversely, Canal Plus pre-empted any request by TF1 by stopping the broadcasts. Orange has so far decided to ignore TF1's demand, but told Le Figaro that it may now review its position in light of the stance taken by Canal Plus and Free.
