France To Open Bidding Process For 6 Digital TV Channels

The French government Tuesday asked the country's broadcasting authority to open a bidding process for six new digital channels.

Under the government's initial plan, TF1 SA (TFI.FR), M6 Metropole Television SA (MMT.FR) and Vivendi SA's (VIV.FR) Canal Plus were to take the channels, as the three French media groups had helped finance the country's transition to digital TV.

However, the European Commission said last month that such a move would violate antitrust laws.

Within the next two months, the government will submit to parliament a new bill amending the existing legislation, according to a statement.

-By Noemie Bisserbe, Dow Jones Newswires; [phone]; [e-mail]