Television: new distribution methods for advertising and films

Advertising

As of August 7, 2020, segmented advertising is allowed: television channels have the option not to offer the same advertising messages to all viewers, but to target them according to their profile or according to certain geographical areas. They must then be identified as such and their duration is regulated.

However, advertising spots programmed in children's programs or those with an explicit local indication (except on regional programs of France Télévisions for example) cannot be targeted. They must be broadcast simultaneously throughout the broadcasting zone of a channel.

Also effective August 7, 2020, advertising for films released at the cinema is permitted for an 18-month period. An evaluation report will be published at the latest in 15 months' time, in order to verify the impact of this authorization on the cinema sector: distribution, attendance at cinemas, diversity of films that have benefited from advertising messages... with regard in particular to the production budget, the language of expression and, for French films, the share of pre-funded films. It will also report on the effects on radio, print media and posters.

Movies

Channels (other than cinema or pay-per-view) can broadcast more films: up to 244 long-term cinematographic works, of which 196 (instead of 144 until then) between 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. They can also schedule them on previously forbidden days and on longer schedules: such as Wednesday evening, Friday evening or Saturday and Sunday during the day (only art and essay films were allowed on Wednesdays and Fridays after 10.30pm).

However, on Saturdays from 8:30pm, they can only broadcast:

• the cinematographic works whose production they have financed;
• cinematographic works of art and essays included in the list drawn up by the President of the National Center for Cinema and Moving Image (CNC).

Cinema channels can broadcast up to 800 different long-term cinematographic works per year (up from 500 so far). And on Saturday from 8.30pm, only some are allowed: films for which they have acquired the exclusive rights, art and essay films, films having exceeded 2 million admissions in theaters, films released in theaters more than 30 years ago...