In the pilot project, launched in June 2024, MSA is working with terrestrial network operator Media Broadcast to assess how traditional broadcasting can be combined with 5G mobile technology using a point-to-multipoint architecture. This approach means a single signal is broadcast simultaneously to all compatible devices, similar to conventional digital terrestrial television, rather than using individual mobile data streams.

The trial uses UHF channel 40 at the transmitter site in the city of Halle and is designed to test the distribution of TV channels and other services using the 5G Broadcast standard. Local TV channel MDF 1 is part of the line up, marking the first time a local commercial broadcaster is involved in a 5G Broadcast trial in Germany.

A key feature of the technology is that reception does not require a SIM card or mobile contract. Instead, compatible devices such as smartphones, tablets or in-car systems can receive content directly via broadcast signals, without consuming mobile data volume.

According to the MSA, the objectives of the extension include further testing with near-series 5G-enabled devices and the development of potential warning functionalities, indicating a possible future role for the technology in public alert systems alongside media distribution.

“Today’s meeting highlights the wide range of tasks carried out by MSA,” said MSA Assembly Chairman Markus Kurze following the Assembly’s decision to extend the trial. “I am pleased that together with partners such as Media Broadcast we are making broadcast technology future-proof.”

Francie Petrick, Managing Director of Media Broadcast, added: “With the extension of the pilot project in Halle, we are creating the basis to continue testing 5G Broadcast in a well‑founded way, both in its technological and societal relevance. The results so far show the potential this technology holds for future‑proof media distribution and for protecting the population.”

The Halle pilot was launched following a tender published by MSA in April 2024. The initial allocation was limited to two years, with the possibility of extension.

With the extension, the trial can now run until 31 May 2028.

Cyprus has pushed back its transition to a new digital terrestrial television standard by two months, with the switchover to DVB-T2 now scheduled for July 1.

The decision, taken by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, is intended to give viewers more time to prepare and follows minor technical issues during the rollout phase.

The upgrade will see Hellas Sat take over operation of the country’s DTT platform, replacing Velister and moving from the older DVB-T standard to DVB-T2.

The change primarily affects households receiving television via rooftop or indoor aerials. Viewers using cable or satellite services will not need to take action.

Households with DVB-T2 compatible televisions will only need to retune their channels. Those with older sets will need a DVB-T2 set-top box or a new television.

The move aligns Cyprus with most European markets, where DVB-T2 has become the standard, offering improved picture quality, greater channel capacity and more efficient use of spectrum.

Retailers in the country are already reporting increased demand for DVB-T2 equipment as the revised deadline approaches.

France’s media regulator Arcom has opened a public consultation on the future of digital terrestrial television (DTT) and the wider television sector, ahead of key spectrum decisions due in 2027.

The consultation focuses on the reallocation of broadcast spectrum that will become available after 11 December 2027, when licences expire for six national DTT channels: TF1 Séries Films, L’Équipe, 6Ter, RMC Story, RMC Découverte and RMC Life.

Under French law, the frequencies can only be reassigned through a formal call for applications, with Arcom set to publish an impact assessment following the consultation.

The regulator is also using the process to examine the longer-term future of television, with a white paper planned for publication in the first half of 2027.

The consultation is structured around four key areas:

• An assessment of the current TV market, including the impact of streaming and shifting viewing habits
• The future role of DTT, including potential decline scenarios and coverage implications
• The 2027 licence expiry and future spectrum allocation framework
• Possible regulatory reforms to improve competitiveness and visibility for national broadcasters

Arcom said the process will explore how traditional broadcasters — both public and private — can compete more effectively with global streaming platforms, as pressure grows on both revenues and content costs.

The consultation also considers extending “services of general interest” status to local TV stations and reviewing distribution rules to ensure prominence and discoverability.

Submissions are open to all stakeholders until 15 June 2026, with contributions feeding into future policy decisions on spectrum use and the regulatory framework for television in France.

Under the extended deal, Sport1 HD will remain available via digital terrestrial television in high definition, accessible to viewers through a Freenet TV subscription across the nationwide DVB-T2 network.

The renewal ensures the continued presence of Sport1’s channel on the platform, underlining the ongoing role of terrestrial broadcasting within Germany’s distribution landscape alongside cable, satellite, IPTV and streaming. The agreement also extends the long-standing partnership between Sport1 and Media Broadcast. According to the technical service provider, the extension highlights the importance of a reliable terrestrial infrastructure for broadcasters and guarantees continued access to a broad TV offering via antenna.

“We are very pleased about the contract extension, which follows the agreements with RTL and ProSiebenSat.1. It shows how important a high-performance and reliable terrestrial infrastructure is for broadcasters and ensures that viewers will continue to receive a diverse TV offering via antenna,” said Francie Petrick, Managing Director of Media Broadcast. “With Sport1, a strong media company continues to rely on DVB-T2 HD, strengthening the attractiveness of Freenet TV for a broad audience and demonstrating confidence in our transmission network.”

Andreas Gerhardt, Chief Content & Distribution Officer at Sport1, added: “We are pleased to extend our partnership with Media Broadcast. It is an important signal of our trusted collaboration and a central component of our distribution strategy. Via DVB-T2 HD, we continue to reach many viewers directly and in high quality, ensuring that Sport1 HD remains available to a broad audience in the future.”

The agreement follows similar renewals by RTL Deutschland and ProSiebenSat.1, committing to terrestrial distribution on Freenet TV through to the end of the decade.

French regulator Arcep has launched a public consultation on the future of the wholesale market for terrestrial audiovisual broadcasting services, as the role of digital terrestrial television continues to weaken against broadband-based delivery.

The consultation centres on Arcerp’s Assessment and Outlook for the Wholesale Market for Terrestrial Audiovisual Broadcasting Services, which reviews the competitive position of the DTT transmission market and considers its prospects as alternative forms of audiovisual distribution and consumption continue to grow.

Arcep is also seeking views on a set of commitments submitted by TDF, the leading terrestrial audiovisual broadcasting operator, for the next regulatory cycle.

DTT in France remains subject to minimum coverage obligations, requiring national television services to reach at least 95% of the population. However, the regulator said the platform’s position in the television market continues to decline as households increasingly turn to broadband and very high-speed networks for video consumption.

Television delivery in France is spread across several infrastructures including DTT, satellite, cable, ADSL and fibre. Arcep noted that ADSL and fibre-based distribution can either be managed by the internet service provider as IPTV, or delivered independently over the public internet as OTT services.

IPTV has become the dominant broadband television model in France, supported by the widespread take-up of triple play offers from internet service providers. According to Arcep, audiovisual consumption via IPTV has exceeded terrestrial television since 2017, and the regulator expects this shift away from DTT to continue as high-speed and very high-speed network coverage expands further.

Despite these wider structural changes, Arcep said the competitive landscape in the terrestrial broadcasting market has remained broadly stable compared with the previous review period.

Competition remains limited, with TowerCast the only alternative terrestrial broadcaster. At the end of 2025, TowerCast was transmitting around 30.1% of service points, having focused its replication strategy on the complementary network.

Against this backdrop, TDF has submitted a proposed set of commitments to Arcep. The commitments would take effect once adopted by the regulator in a binding decision and would remain in force for 5 years.

Arcep said the consultation is intended to gather stakeholder feedback both on its assessment of the current and future regulatory framework for the wholesale terrestrial broadcasting market and on the commitments proposed by TDF.

Interested parties have until May 4, 2026 to respond. Following the consultation, Arcep said it will publish a draft decision for a further round of public consultation.

TDF has underlined the continued strategic importance of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) within its audiovisual business, despite a decline in revenues linked to structural changes in the French TV market.

The group reported a 4.3% fall in DTT broadcasting revenues in 2025, reflecting the vacancy of the R3 pay-TV multiplex following Canal+’s withdrawal in June 2025. The absence of the multiplex has weighed on performance, with regulator Arcom postponing the reallocation process by two years from September 2025.

Despite this, TDF said DTT remains a “structuring pillar” of the French audiovisual landscape, citing its free-to-air model, nationwide coverage and role in ensuring continuity of service.

The company continues to position terrestrial broadcasting as a key component of digital offer, providing controlled, resilient infrastructure for the distribution of television services in an increasingly fragmented media environment.

Looking ahead, TDF is preparing for the next phase of DTT evolution, with a particular focus on 5G Broadcast. The technology is seen as a potential way to extend the reach of terrestrial television to mobile devices, while enhancing the attractiveness of the platform.

Within the wider audiovisual division, which posted revenues of €269.8 million, down 0.8%, TDF pointed to the resilience of its broadcast activities despite ongoing shifts toward streaming.

The group said continued investment in DTT infrastructure, alongside developments in DAB+ digital radio, would support the long-term sustainability of terrestrial platforms as part of France’s broader connectivity strategy.

Under the extended deal, six channels from the commercial broadcaster will remain available via DTT in HD quality. The line-up comprises Sat.1 HD, ProSieben HD, Sat.1 Gold HD, Kabel Eins HD, Sixx HD and ProSieben Maxx HD, all accessible through a Freenet TV subscription.

The renewal ensures the continued presence of ProSiebenSat.1’s portfolio on the DVB-T2 HD platform, underlining the ongoing role of terrestrial broadcasting as part of Germany’s distribution mix alongside cable, satellite, IPTV and streaming services. The agreement also continues the long-standing partnership between the broadcaster and Media Broadcast.

According to the service provider, the extension reflects sustained demand for digital terrestrial television and reinforces DVB-T2 HD as a reliable distribution infrastructure. “DVB-T2 HD is a central component of a resilient and high-performance distribution landscape,” said Francie Petrick, Managing Director of Media Broadcast. “The continuation of our collaboration with ProSiebenSat.1 underlines our joint ambition to ensure that high-quality TV content remains reliably available via digital terrestrial broadcasting.”

Nicole Agudo Berbel, Managing Director and Chief Distribution Officer at ProSiebenSat.1, added: “It is important for us that our content is available to viewers everywhere and at any time. We are therefore pleased to extend our partnership with Media Broadcast for the long term, ensuring that our free-to-air channels will continue to be accessible in high quality via antenna.”

The agreement follows a similar renewal by RTL Deutschland, which also extended its DVB-T2 HD distribution contract with Media Broadcast through to the end of 2030. Together, the deals mean that Germany’s two largest commercial broadcasting groups have now committed to DTT for the remainder of the decade.

In addition, wedotv movies is now available on channel 98 as a fully integrated DTT channel, combining traditional broadcast reach with advanced digital monetisation capabilities, including FAST architecture, Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI), and a Consent Management Platform (CMP).

Both channels are powered by technology from Synapse and facilitated by Global Distribution Services, a content aggregator and distributor on Freeview.

wedotv BIG stories brings viewers a slate of factual and documentary programming, while wedotv movies offers a curated selection of films, enhanced through hybrid broadcast and streaming capabilities. The integration of FAST, SSAI, and CMP ensures scalable monetisation, targeted advertising, and compliance with evolving privacy standards, according to wedotv.

“We are proud to support wedotv in expanding its footprint on Freeview. By leveraging Synapse’s technology stack – including FAST, SSAI, and CMP – we are enabling a seamless blend of linear broadcast and IP innovation. This launch reflects our commitment to delivering scalable, future-ready channel solutions while maximising reach and monetisation opportunities on the UK’s leading free-to-air platform,” said Tanya Kronfli, CEO of Global Distribution Services.

Philipp Rotermund, CEO of wedotv, added: “The launch of wedotv BIG stories on Freeview marks another important milestone in our UK expansion. We are delighted to strengthen our presence on the platform and to bring engaging, high-quality storytelling to a wider audience. With wedotv movies now available as a DTT channel powered by advanced ad-tech capabilities, we are combining the scale of broadcast with the precision and flexibility of digital.”

According to wedotv, the dual launch demonstrates Freeview’s evolving model of blending broadcast distribution with IP-delivered innovation, offering viewers more choice and advertisers enhanced opportunities.

Funds managed and advised by Polus Capital Management have agreed to acquire a 26.54% shareholding in Arqiva from Macquarie Asset Management, ending Macquarie’s 20-year investment in the company.

Polus is an investment management firm with around $14 billion in assets under management, with a focus on essential European and UK infrastructure including utilities, telecoms, power and energy.

Last month, Digital 9 to mark the value of its stake in the transmission company down to zero, citing regulatory and policy uncertainty including the potential switch-off terrestrial television transmissions.

In its results for the first half of its 2026 financial year, published today, Media and Broadcast revenue decreased by 1% year-on-year to £235 million. The company reported Group revenue up 14% to £347.3 million driven by new water metering contracts coming into force.

Arqiva chair Patrick Tillieux said the company’s first-half performance underlined the resilience of its business model, citing long-term customer relationships and “secure, predictable cashflows”. He added that Arqiva’s investment-grade profile and continued access to debt markets reflected investor confidence, and welcomed Polus as a new long-term shareholder.

A Polus spokesperson said the firm was “delighted” to become a shareholder in Arqiva, describing the business as a steward of an essential part of the UK’s national communications backbone and critical digital infrastructure. Polus said it intends to work with Arqiva’s board and management to support stability, service continuity and disciplined growth.

A major investor in the transmission company Arqiva says it expects to mark the value of its stake in the transmission company down to zero, citing regulatory and policy uncertainty including the potential switch-off terrestrial television transmissions.

In a Regulatory News Service statement, Digital 9 said that, based on ongoing year-end valuation work for 31 December 2025, the indicative valuation of its equity interest in Arqiva is expected to fall below the value of its vendor loan note, resulting in a nil equity valuation in its net asset value, subject to audit and board approval.

Digital 9 holds just under 52% of Arqiva.

The company warned Arqiva is exposed to “binary events”, including government policy and regulatory decisions, renewal of key broadcasting contracts and broader market developments — factors that could materially affect the medium-term value of its equity.

The writedown comes as ministers and public service broadcasters including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 continue discussions over the long-term future of digital terrestrial television.

Under current legislation, digital terrestrial TV via Freeview is guaranteed until at least 2034. However, broadcasters have argued that maintaining energy-intensive terrestrial transmission alongside streaming distribution is increasingly costly as audiences migrate online.

Arqiva operates around 1,500 transmission sites across the UK, reaching 98.5% of the population through the Freeview platform, as well as providing national radio infrastructure.

It has been a campaigner to maintain the Freeview DTT platform, joining Broadcast 2040, alongside groups that include Digital Poverty Alliance and Silver Voices.

The uncertainty has already weighed on investor appetite. In November, Macquarie Asset Management sold its 26.5% stake in Arqiva for £16.5 million, implying a sharply reduced valuation for the business. Broadband TV News previously reported the move as a significant scaling back of Macquarie’s long-standing involvement in the UK broadcast infrastructure operator.

While Arqiva has pointed to a £2.8 billion order book and growth opportunities beyond traditional broadcasting, including media services and utilities, the combination of policy uncertainty and structural shifts in viewing behaviour is now feeding directly into shareholder valuations.