Pflimlin outlines goals for French pubcaster

New digital offerings for kids and a strengthening of France 3’s regional remit are among the priorities outlined by France Télévisions director-general Rémy Pflimlin for the second half of his term in the post.

In a message to staff, Pflimlin said that the French public broadcaster faced a number of key challenges for the year ahead, including a reduction in financial support from the state and the need to cut costs, as well as the competitive challenge presented by new digital-terrestrial services and the entry of over-the-top providers.

Pflimlin said France Télévisions would nevertheless continue to enrich its digital offerings, and confirmed that that he would like to see France 4 become a kids channel during daytime hours, meaning that the pubcaster will likely divest its 34% stake in kids channel Gulli, which is jointly owned with Lagardère.

Pflimlin also said he would like to see a strengthening of news on France 2 and France 3 as well as strengthening the regional offerings of France 3. With regard to the latter, he said it would be necessary to take time to develop the regionalisation project within the framework of a more wide-ranging review of the channel’s remit.

France 3 will move forwards with developing more regional coverage and developing a digital regional offering, with the creation of local channels in partnernship with local players, possibly including newspaper groups, seen as a second stage.