Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) celebrates its 20th anniversary

Published on 31 March 2025

  • Television
  • Digital
  • Digital uses
  • Regulation

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    Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) celebrates its 20th anniversary this Monday, March 31, 2025. Relive the key dates in the development of DTT in France.

    Replacing the old analog TV, Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) has multiplied the number of channels available to viewers, and improved image and sound quality.

    In the space of two decades, DTT has transformed the French audiovisual landscape, meeting the challenges of optimizing the terrestrial spectrum and developing new audiovisual services. But what exactly is DTT? Where do we stand in its development? And what are the next steps?

     

    What is DTT?

    Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) is based on the diffusion of television signals in digital form via hertzian waves , replacing the old analog diffusion.

    DTT channels cover over 95% of the population in mainland France and the French overseas territories. The channels' audio and video signals are transmitted by transmitters distributed throughout the country, and picked up by rakes connected to TV sets.

    Antenne rateau servant à la réception de la télévision numérique terrestre (TNT). © Arcom

    Compared with other broadcasting methods, DTT offers viewers several advantages:

    • DTT channels are free of charge
    • DTT offers a diversified channel supply
    • almost the entire population is covered by DTT (a free complement is available via satellite, notably for white zones).
    • DTT collects no personal data
    • DTT is energy-efficient

    In mainland France, there are 30 national channels, including five pay-TV channels. In addition to these national channels, there are 42 local and regional channels.

    Guide to channels and video-on-demand services

    Creating and regulating a TV channel, the role of Arcom

    How do the French equip themselves to watch television?

    Digital switchover: a major technical development (2005)

    After several years of reflection and testing, DTT officially went live in mainland France on March 31, 2005 at 5:30pm.

    It began with a supply of 14 free-to-air channels, including the major historical channels (TF1, France 2, France 3, M6, Arte), the pay channel Canal+, and new channels: Direct 8; NT1; France 4; LCP-Assemblée nationale-Public Sénat; W9 M6 Music; NRJ 12; TMC.

    The aim is twofold: to increase the number of channels available to the widest possible audience, and to improve diffusion quality thanks to a digital signal less prone to interference.

    Dominique Baudis, former president of the French Superior Audiovisual Council (French Superior Audiovisual Council, to become Arcom in 2022), in 2005, facing David Pujadas, on the occasion of the launch of DTT.

    On March 31, 2005, free-to-air DTT channels began to show their programs to 35% of the population, then, by October 2005, to half the French population, and by June 2005, to almost 60%. Viewers who chose DTT watched 25 minutes more TV every day than when they received only the five analog terrestrial channels.

    Analog switch-off (2011)

    The decisive step in the transition to digital is the total extinction of analog diffusion, finalized on November 30, 2011.

    This programmed, gradual shift was carried out region by region, to ensure smooth adoption by households.

    Analog switch-off has enabled frequencies to be reused for other purposes, notably very high-speed mobile communications.

    The transition to high definition (2016)

    April 5, 2016 marks a further milestone with the widespread use of the MPEG-4 standard, which is more powerful than the standard used until now.

    This change of norms has made it possible to virtually generalize the diffusion of DTT channels in high-definition, with improved image and sound quality. As in 2011, it has also enabled the reuse of frequencies to improve mobile network speeds, to the benefit of users.

    This technical development required viewers to update their equipment.

    What does the future hold for DTT?

    DTT development continues, with the gradual transition to ultra-high definition (UHD). Arcom is coordinating the audiovisuel players, and drawing up the decisions relating to this deployment.

    To access content shown in UHD, viewers will need to check that their equipment is compatible. France 2 and France 3 channels are already available in UHD in mainland and overseas France:

    • In mainland France :

    France 2 UHD: channel number 52
    France 3 UHD: channel number 53

    • Overseas France:

    France 2 UHD: channel number 22
    France 3 UHD: channel number 23

    In response to requests from Arcom, several private service editors have also expressed interest in showing their services in UHD.

    Visibility of services of general interest

    Arcom grants public audiovisuel groups and private DTT channels the status of Service of General Interest (SIG).

    This status ensures appropriate visibility of audiovisual services and programs on the interfaces of connected TV sets, Internet service providers, gaming consoles and multimedia gateways.

    Note presenting a scheme to ensure appropriate visibility of services of general interest (SIG).

    Chronology of television in France

    Chronology of television in France by INA

    The Institut national de l'audiovisuel (INA) traces the history of television in France since 1900.

    The data is taken from Francis Balle's Médias & Sociétés (LGDJ, 18th edition, 2019), with additional information provided by the author on behalf of INA.

    Browse INA's chronology of television in France

    Arcom services

    How do I watch television?
    The "Ma Couverture TNT" application provides a list of DTT programs received by viewers equipped with a rake antenna. (in french)
    What can I do if my DTT reception is poor?
    Write to TV channels and radio stations
    Alert Arcom to a program or advertisement (in french)

    On the same subject

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    The frequencies allocated to the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication allow six multiplexes to be shown in mainland France.

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