France/ 5.3 Sector specific legislation  

5.3.7 Mass media

Investment obligation in cinematographic production

It is obligatory for all television networks to invest in cinematographic production. Unencrypted terrestrial networks, encrypted terrestrial networks and cablevision and satellite networks each have different obligations. Unencrypted analogue terrestrial networks, for example, must contribute 3.2% of their turnover to the production of original French language works. A large share of this contribution must be accorded to independent productions. This proportion is higher (4.5% of turnover) for the encrypted channel Canal Plus, which, in exchange for the right to broadcast films with primary exclusive showing rights one year after their cinema release, made a commitment to support French cinematographic production in specified ways.

Broadcasting obligation: at least 60% of films broadcast by television networks - particularly during prime viewing time - must be European cinematographic and televisual productions with at least 40% original French language content. Canal+ must devote at least 20% of its total annual resources to the acquisition of the broadcasting rights for original European and French language cinematographic works in the proportion of 12% for European works and 9% for French-language works.

Transmission of francophone songs on radio: Private radio station programming must include a minimum 40% content of French language songs (or songs performed in a regional language in use in France). The public company Radio France is not bound by this quota, but Article 30 of its General Conditions stipulates that it must give priority to French language songs in its variety programmes and endeavour to promote fresh talent. 

Over the last 15 years, the audio-visual industry (radio and television) has seen an increase in the number of television stations (general interest and theme-based private networks, terrestrial, cable and satellite networks).

The government is now involved at three levels:

• regulation of the overall sector via the allocation of frequencies by the French regulatory body (Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel - CSA);
• funding public television (via licence fees) and licensing guidelines; and
• regulatory measures: quotas on the music content of radio broadcasts and the programming of films on television.

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