French TV in Spain.

French TV in Spain with a TV Aerial

In some areas along the French Spanish border, it is possible to receive the French TV channels with a TV aerial, but in most areas of Spain reception of the French TV channel via a TV aerial is impossible.

Télévision Numérique Terrestre is the term used for the national digital terrestrial service for France.

Like the Freeview TV service in the United Kingdom, the French TNT service will include new channels as well as the “mainstream” terrestrial television stations.

French TV in Spain with a satellite dish

The French TNT channels are also available for reception by satellite.

They are broadcast from the Astra satellites at 19.2 degrees east, as TNTSAT.

And they are broadcast from the Atlantic Bird satellites at 5 degrees west as FRANSAT.

Most of the channels are encrypted but there is no subscription charge.

To view either TNTSAT or Fransat a set-top box and viewing card (valid for four years) are required.

The public channels France 2, France3, France 5, France Ô, LCP and the Franco-German channel arte are available free-to-air on Atlantic Bird 3.

Free French TV Channels on Satellite

French TV Changes in 2016

From April 2016, French TV will only be available in MPEG4 and HD.

The changes from MPEG2 to MPEG4 aim to increase bandwidth, and offer more channels in HD.

From April 2016, the French digital television network will be available exclusively in HD with an offer of 29 channels. During the first quarter of 2016, 12 new HD channels will be available free-to-air (BFMTV, D17, D8, iTélé, Gulli, NRJ12, NT1, TMC, W9) as well as three premium (pay-TV) HD channels (Canal+ Cinéma, Canal+ Sport and Planète+).

Already available are TF1, France 2, Canal+, Arte and M6, who started broadcasting in HD in October 2008; and HD1, L’Équipe 21, 6Ter, Numéro 23, RMC Découverte and Chérie 25, that became available in December 2012.

This will mean that those watching French TV on Standard Definition receivers will have to upgrade to a new HD satellite receiver to continue to watch French TV by satellite.

Information about receiving Sky TV in France available here

French TV Satellite Installations in Spain

We can supply and install a satellite dish, viewing cards and receiver to receive French TV channels in Spain.