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CSA's key 2012 dates
1 January
The recommendation of 30 November 2011 relating to the presidential election enters into force: it provides for candidates' access to audiovisual media to be governed by the principle of fairness up until 19 March; and, by the principle of equality from 20 March to 6 May.
Regulation by the Conseil of shifts in volume between TV programmes and advertising enters its second phase pursuant to the deliberation of 19 July 2011.
10 January
34 applications are tendered in response to the 18 October 2011 invitation for applications for the broadcasting of six new free-to-air high-definition channels on DTT. All are found to qualify.
18 January
At the Conseil's initiative, 9th meeting with consumer organisations since 2009 dealing with television digital switch-over, sub-titling quality, and community organisations' access to broadcasting media.
23 January
The « Community Organizations/Media» committee is installed. It is the successor to the committee to analyse community organisations' access to audiovisual media which had been installed in 2010 upon proposal by Michel Boyon, and had called for a partnership between the broadcasting industry and community organisations.
1 February
Law of 1 February 2012 giving the CSA authority to set forth rules relating to sports contests short clips TV broadcasting, to channels' contribution to anti-doping, and to the protection of persons doing physical exercise or playing sports.
15 February
Meeting on television coverage of the London paralympic Games, with Mr. Dominique Baudis, Défenseur des droits, Mr. Gérard Masson, Chairman of the Comité paralympique et sportif français, representatives of the Fédération française des sports adaptés,and the main television channels and radio stations. Installation of a monitoring committee under the chairmanship of Rachid Arhab.
16 February
The committee for the monitoring of connected TVs usage is installed. It is chaired by Emmanuel Gabla, chair of the "New Services and the Internet" working group, and brings together almost 80 industry representatives in five topic-centred brain storming groups: "Technological Challenges"; "Protection of Sensitive Audiences"; "Economics and Competition"; "Financing of New Original Content"; "New Advertising Formats".
21 February
Signature of the Charter for the protection of children in the media, by the Conseil, the Syndicat de la presse magazine, the Chair of Unicef France, the groupement d’intérêt public « Enfance en danger », and several audiovisual groups.
5-14 March
Public hearing of those applicants found to be qualified as part of the 18 October 2011 invitation for applications for the edition of six new free-to-air high-definition channels. Each applicant is given 45 minutes to present their project.
21 March
The Conseil's report on the protection of minors in the age of broadcasting media and Internet convergence is forwarded to Ms. Claude Greff, secrétaire d’État (junior minister) in charge of family affairs. The report recommends a national focal institution to better coordinate minor protection on various media.
27 March
The six high-definition channels are selected by the Conseil: HD1, L’Équipe 21, 6ter, Numéro 23, RMC Découverte, and Chérie 25.
29 March
The CSA's Board Members go to Brussels to broach with the European Commission developments in broadcasting regulation in the age of connected TVs. They meet with Ms. Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Europe's Digital Agenda, Mr. Michel Barnier, Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, and Mr Philippe Etienne, Permanent Representative of France to the EU.
4 April
Opening of a public consultation on the right to broadcast short clips from sports contest broadcasts, as a first stage in the performance by the Conseil's of its new charge under the law of 1 February 2012 to enhance sports ethics and athletes' rights.
12 April
The invitation for applications for the digital broadcasting of radio stations in Marseilles, Nice, and Paris is updated; the invitation had been issued in March 2008 but had not been completed due to withdrawal of some operators, new radio projects, and an increase in the available medium.
The Conseil initiates its first survey to monitor television and radio programme quality.
2 May
Adoption of a recommendation relating to the June general election, supplementing the recommendation of 4 January 2011 relating to the treatment of electoral news, and setting forth the conditions in which radio stations and television channels must survey and forward to the Conseil speaking air-time given to candidates and representatives of parties and political groups. Entry into force of the new recommendation on 21 May.
10 May
Death of Jacques Boutet, first Chairman of the Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (1989-1995).
31 May
178 applications, i.e., three times as much as in 2008, are either submitted or maintained as part of the invitation for applications for digital radio in Paris, Marseilles, and Nice. 37 new projects are tendered, in addition to those tendered in 2008 and subsequently updated.
5 June
Adoption of the 3rd annual report assessing the "food charter." The total volume of TV shows dealing with a healthy life style increased by 31% in 2011, compared to 2010.
19 June
Stock-taking of the 2011 awareness campaign on the protection of young audiences. A qualitative study commissioned by the Conseil shows the youth rating signs to be widely understood and welcomed by viewers.
First assessment of the implementation of the Conseil's deliberation on product placement in TV programmes, which had been adopted in 2010: in most cases product placement was done in a way that showed respect for viewers.
21 June
Inauguration of a new DTT transmitter in Carneville (Manche).
22 June
Publication of a study on the development of a DTT receiver with French vocalisation for visually impaired persons.
26 June
Adoption of a deliberation setting forth conditions for the broadcasting by TV channels of programmes dealing with anti-doping and the protection of persons doing physical exercise or playing sports, pursuant to the law of 1 February 2012 on sports balance.
3 July
The six new free-to-air high-definition channels are awarded their licenses. Under the legal agreements (conventions) they enter into, starting as from 2016 and from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., the channels will broadcast "real" high-definition programmes only, i.e., with a resolution of 1,080 lines or more, from capture to transmission.
4 July
2nd meeting of the committee monitoring connected TVs usage, chaired by Emmanuel Gabla.
4 September
Following the public consultation opened in April, the Conseil draws up the draft deliberation on short clips of sports contests and other types of events of high interest to the public, and notifies the same to the European Commission.
5 September
Visit by Mr. Nguyen Bac Son, Minister of Information and Communication of Vietnam.
5 September
Visit by Ms. Samira Rajab, Minister of State for Information of the Kingdom of Bahreïn.
17 September
Public hearing of Ms. Marie-Christine Saragosse, nominated by the President of the Republic as Chair of Audiovisuel extérieur de la France. Following the hearing, the Conseil gives it approval to the appointment.
18 September
Subject to conditions, the Conseil authorises the purchase by Groupe Canal Plus of channels Direct 8 and Direct Star; it is the group's first entry into the free-to-air market. The new channels have given substantial undertakings relating to broadcasting and investment in production. They respectively become D8 and D17.
25 September
The radio stations that will broadcast in digital in Marseilles, Nice, and Paris are selected, following the updating on 12 April of the invitation for applications issued in 2008.
4 October
Signature, at the CSA, by two wirters' organisations—Société des auteurs et compositeurs dramatiques (SACD) and Société civile des auteurs multimédias (SCAM)—, and the chairs of the main channels, of the Charter relating to programme advertising on TV. The purpose of the Charter is to protect works while enabling information of the public.
9 October
Adoption of the report relating to the 2012 presidential election. The Conseil deems the campaign to have been satisfactory and puts forward four proposals, including cancellation of the so-called "intermediary" period which starts the day prior to publication of the list of candidates as drawn up by the Conseil constitutionnel,and finishes the day prior to the start of the official campaign. The move would reduce the period during which the rule of equality of speaking time between candidates applies as it results in a reduction in time granted to candidates, when applied over too long a period of time.
16 October
Adoption of a deliberation prohibiting, save for exemptions, the simultaneous broadcasting of the same programme by several TV channels broadcasting nationally.
23 October
Adoption of a deliberation making the display of the "-10" sign permanent; the sign was previously displayed for only a few minutes at the beginning of the programme, and after advertising breaks. Entry into force of the deliberation on 12 December.
Following an invitation for applications, issued on 3 November 2011, to license a distributor of digital services, including radio stations in the L Band, company Ondes numériques is selected.
29 October
The Conseil forwards its first contribution to the analysis of developments in broadcasting regulation and electronic communications to the Government. The merger of the Conseil with the Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques et des postes (ARCEP) (France's regulation authority for electronic communications and postal services) is deemed a possible avenue, yet premature.
20 November
Start of the annual TV campaign to raise awareness of young audiences' protection. Françoise Laborde, Chair of the "Youth and Protection of Minors" working group, can be heard at the end of the clip prompting viewers to browse the Conseil's new on-line page dedicated to screen use for adults and youths.
21 November
Annual meeting at the Conseil of the sixteen comités territoriaux de l’audiovisuel (CTAs). The Conseil deems exercise of their new authority in relation to local radio stations and television channels to be satisfactory.
29 November
Michel Boyon is heard by the French Commission awarding "label Diversité" which rules in favour of the Conseil. The "label Diversité" is awarded to the Conseil for its promotion both inside and outside of its own organisation, as well as in the broadcasting media, of a fairer representation of French society's diversity.
5 December
The committee for the monitoring of connected TVs usage, installed on 16 February, draws up a preliminary summary of its work and puts forward 14 proposals to foster innovation for the benefit of connected TV users.
12 December
Aurélie Filippetti, Minister for Culture and Communication, and Michel Boyon, Chairman of the CSA, launch the six new high definition channels. Already available for half of France's households, their deployment will continue in twelve stages until June 2015, when they will cover 97% of the population of mainland France (métropiltaine).
19 December
États généraux (general conference) on local television in outre-mer (overseas collectivités), chaired by Alain Méar, Chair of the "Outre-mer" working group. The decision is made to draw up a guide on good competition practices between public and private, national and local, channels.
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