Arte expands daytime schedule

French documentary broadcaster Arte is set to expand its daytime programming schedule for the first time through its digital terrestrial channel.

It hopes to acquire more content, particularly drama series and youth skewed shows, and has increased its acquisition budget accordingly.

Currently the analog channel starts broadcasting at 7pm, but its digital terrestrial slot broadcasts 24 hours a day. Philippe Chazal, head of projects at Arte France, told TBIvision: “The idea is to supplement DTT growth and make bigger audiences.” Arte currently has a 1.7% digital share.

The channel is looking for comedy series from countries outside of the US, particularly the UK, Australia and Israel. It is also looking to strengthen acquisitions of short documentary series and youth-based magazine shows.

Chazal added that the acquisition budget would be raised from its current amount of Euro15m, which includes Euro1.5m for daytime shows.