Alliance de la Radio challenges Radio France FM frequency reorganization

The Alliance de la Radio, representing major private commercial stations, has filed a legal challenge with the Conseil d’État to annul measures allowing Radio France to reorganize its FM frequencies. The group argues that the reorganization, approved by the regulator Arcom, creates a substantial imbalance in the radio landscape by significantly increasing the population coverage of France Info.

Under the approved plan, Radio France is permuting frequencies between its stations, including France Info, Ici, and France Musique. This move aims to manage budgets by leveraging the deployment of DAB+ digital radio. According to Radio France, the shift will increase France Info’s FM coverage from 80% to 93%, while France Musique will maintain an 87% coverage rate through a combination of FM and DAB+.

The dispute has escalated into a political issue, with the French Senate scheduled to discuss a bill on radio modernization on October 13. The Alliance de la Radio, which includes major players like RTL, NRJ, and Europe 1, claims the decision was made without a public impact study and alleges procedural errors.