Followint a first study published in April 2009, the website www.tvarevoir.fr and the consultancy agency NPA Conseil published on October 8 a new catch-up TV indicator. This tool measures the proportion of programs recently broadcast that are made legally available online and on demand for free. The study focused on the 17:00 - 24:00 time frame from September 21 to 27, 2009.

The catch-up TV offer of programs broadcast during this period rose of 18 hours in volume. The average ratio of  programs available on catch-up divided by the total programs broadcast is of 59% in September 2009 (against 53% in March 2009).

According to this study, the offer should rise even more with the opening of catch-up services of various channels such as Gulli, Virgin 17, BFM TV, TMC and W9.

The study does not detail the percentage of services available on IPTV or cable.  See the full press release (in French)

On its side, Canal+ recently announced that the Canal+ on demand and CanalSat on demand services were now available on IPTV for Neufbox-SFR subscribers. 80% of Canal+ programs are thus made available on demand.

Lastly, as the catch-up TV offers rise, new program guides appear that include on demand offers as well as classic broadcast hours. In addition to www.tvarevoir.fr, two services were recently launched: mySkreen.fr and TVMag.com (TVMag Replay). They all list all programs, including films, recently broadcast and available online for free.

In application of article 71 of the March 5, 2009 law regarding audiovisual communication and the new television public service, the French government has adopted a regulation on July 24, 2009 setting forth the legislative part of the Code of Cinema and Animated Image. This new code replaces the former Code of the Cinematographic Industry, which was created in January 1956.

 

The main changes are the following:

- The Centre National de la Cinématographie changes its name into Centre National du Cinéma et de l'image animée but keeps its abbreviation (CNC). In fact, the CNC had already expanded its range of action beyond cinema, and was already acting in TV production, video, VOD, video games, etc.

- The different CNC functions are clarified: on the one hand, missions conducted under the authority of the minister of culture (observation, finance, control, information, archive safeguarding, fight against piracy[1]) and on the other hand, missions conducted by the CNC chairperson for the account of the State (regulation preparatory works[2]).

- A board of administration is formed, composed of State representatives, members of the highest courts, employees representatives[3]. The principle of consultation of the industry professionals is reaffirmed[4].

- The new code abolishes certain administrative authorisations to work in various branches and professional cards for technical crew members[5]. The theatrical activity remains however subject to an authorisation. In practice, in order to obtain various services and supporting actions, companies will still have to submit a great deal of information.

- The thorough box office control system is extended to video revenues and includes possibilities of penalties.

- Finally, regarding the media chronology in general and video on demand in particular, the Code now includes a title III devoted to the chronology of the different film exploitations: chapter one - videogram exploitation (article L231-1), chapter two - on demand exploitation (article L232-1), chapter three - TV exploitation (article L233-1), chapter four - general principles (articles L234-1 à L234-2)[6].

 

Download the legislative part of the Cinema Code here.

 

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[1] Article L111-2 sets forth the missions : 1° To observe the industry evolution, its technical, legal, economical and social environment as well as the conditions of training and access to its various careers. 2° To contribute to financing and developing the industry and to facilitating its adaptation to market and technological evolutions. 3° To control the industry revenues. 4° To register documents and agreements, and communicate to rightholders information regarding revenues. 5° To collect, keep, restore and value the cinematographic heritage. 6° To participate to the fight agains piracy of audiovisual and multimedia works. 

[2] Article L111-3 lists the 15 main powers the CNC chairperson holds in the name of the State. 

[3] Cf. article L112-1.

[4] Cf. articles L111-2.1°b) and L112-2.

[5] These authorisations will fall at the latest on January 1, 2011. Cf. articles 9, 10 and 12 of the July 24, 2009 regulation.

[6] The media chronology will be detailed further in these columns. 

The first catch-up TV guide in France was launched by www.tvarevoir.fr. This website (literally "TV to watch again") lists in real time all TV programs recently broadcast that are made legally available online and on demand for free. The programs are sorted by channels and by themes.

 

On this occasion, NPA Conseil and www.tvarevoir.fr developed a catch-up TV indicator. The first study measures the proportion of programs broadcast between March 15 and 21, 2009 that were made available online and on demand by national TV channels[1] . It shows that national channels (TF1, France 2, France 3, Canal+, France 5, M6 & Arte) offer more than half of their hour volume broadcast during major audience hours (17:00 to 24:00) on catch-up TV services. Entertainment, information and magazines (especially those on access prime-time) are the main programs available. Prime-time programs (films and TV series) are seldom available, as they are often proposed for rentals.

See the full press release (in French)

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[1] The study focused on the 17:00 - 24:00 time frame during the week from March 15 to March 21, 2009. Are considered programs available on catch-up TV those that are available for free from a PC without any subscription condition. The France Televisions programs are therefore excluded from the study, since they are accessible only to Orange TV subscribers. The Canal+ programs are also excluded, as they are available only to "Canal+ à la demande" subscribers.