French Superior Audiovisual Council launches consultation with channels on first part of the evening diffusion schedule
The question of the times at which television programs are shown in the first half of the evening is a major concern for viewers, who turn to the French Superior Audiovisual Council [1].
The Conseil has observed not only a gradual shift in broadcasting times for the first part of the evening, but also a sometimes significant discrepancy between the advertised schedule and the actual broadcasting time for the first part of the evening.
In the interests of viewers, the French Superior Audiovisual Council is today launching a consultation with all channels on this subject.
The legal framework for programming schedules
The agreements of national private free-to-air TV channels (with the exception of all-news channels) contain an article 2-2-5 entitled "Respect for programming schedules", worded as follows:
" The publisher shall make its programs known no later than 18 days before the first day of program diffusion for the week concerned. It undertakes not to modify them within 14 days of the day of diffusion, including the latter, except for requirements linked to live broadcasts, sporting events and exceptional circumstances (...).
Subject to the constraints inherent in the broadcasting of live programs, the publisher must respect the previously announced programming schedules (...) ".
Article 19 of France Télévisions' specifications and the Council's deliberation of November 26, 2002 require public channels to respect similar commitments.
1 The French Superior Audiovisual Council receives an average of 20 submissions of a case before the court every week.