Three TNT Transmitters to Cease Operations November 24th; Affected Households Won't Bear Costs

The shutdown of three TNT transmitters, scheduled for November 24, 2026, follows ARCOM's approval earlier this summer. The audiovisual and digital regulator has now outlined the specifics. For the affected viewers, television reception should continue uninterrupted as channels commit to ensuring service continuity for households impacted by the closures.

The transmitters slated for deactivation are located in Saint-Paul-de-Salers (Cantal), Meyrieux-Trouet (Savoie), and Salavas (Ardèche). ARCOM's announcement also mentions adjacent communes: Verthemex and La Chapelle-Saint-Martin in Savoie, and Vallon-Pont-d'Arc in Ardèche. The criteria for impact are clear: only households whose antennas are pointed at one of these three specific transmitters are affected. This group comprises about a hundred households nationwide – a small number overall, but significant for those involved.

These viewers will not lose their channels. Depending on the situation, antennas will be redirected to a nearby TNT transmitter, or satellite reception will be implemented. This support applies to the main television in the household, with no mention made for secondary sets in other rooms.

Viewers will incur no costs for the reception solutions. The broadcasters, who initiated these closures, are responsible for covering any necessary adjustments, from arranging service to financing it. Affected households have reportedly already received correspondence and will be contacted directly by the channels or their representatives. ARCOM's website offers a free tool to check TNT coverage and a practical guide for those experiencing reception issues.

The decision to shut down active transmitters is driven by economic factors. TNT viewership and advertising revenue have declined annually, while the operating costs for sites serving few viewers have risen. Based on reception studies, national channels requested network consolidation to maintain TNT's viability. ARCOM granted approval for this trial on July 8th.

ARCOM ensures compliance with the law, which mandates TNT coverage for over 95% of the population – a threshold these closures do not threaten. The regulator is processing the request, providing legal framework, ensuring public information, and verifying the promised channel support.

While three transmitters out of 1,626 national broadcasting sites is a minor reduction, it marks the first deliberate decrease in TNT coverage due to declining audience numbers. ARCOM reported that only 34.7% of households still used TNT on at least one television in the second half of 2025, with 14.4% relying solely on it. TDF, a major broadcaster, estimates this figure to be closer to 10 million French citizens. Despite this shift, French viewers still dedicate an average of 4 hours and 14 minutes daily to video content across all devices, according to Médiamétrie. ARCOM currently frames this as an experiment limited to these three sites, with no immediate plans for further reductions.