French commercial media groups TF1 and M6 have announced they will be applying for a free HD DTT frequency with a joint TV shopping project, as part of the CSA’s call for HD DTT projects.

Two years after the JV channel TF6 stopped, TF1 and M6 unveiled the new venture branded ‘Ha26’ they will pitch to the TV regulatory body in the coming weeks.

The TV shopping channel will be operated and shared by both broadcasters and run their own programming every two days. Sixteen live hours of daily broadcasts are planned each day.

Both groups will compete on the products sales, but the channel will be ad free with no audience competition.

TF1 and M6 have applied separately for a TV shopping channel in the past, but never as a joint project.

The French TV shopping market is valued at €200 million, and the two groups forecast this doubling or tripling. Besides Ha26, M6 will also apply the CSA’s call for bids for two other projects, Paris Première and W9.

NRJ Group, NextRadio TV and Campagnes TV are also in the race for new HD frequencies.

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