New national TV channel NOVO19 launches with regional focus across France

A new national free-to-air television channel, NOVO19, went live on September 1 at 18:00 on channel 19 of the TNT digital network.

The service, operated by regional press group Ouest-France, is also available through the main internet operator boxes (Orange, SFR, Bouygues and Free). 

It follows the departure of C8 and NRJ12 earlier this year and the arrival of T18 in June, as part of a wider reshuffle of France’s digital terrestrial network.

NOVO19 is unique in being the first national TNT channel to be created and managed outside Paris. Its news studio is in Rennes, with a second base in Paris for a daily talk show.

The opening schedule included On a de l’info, a 15-minute news bulletin presented from Rennes by Martin Cangelosi, followed by On a du nouveau, a discussion programme led from Paris by Claire Arnoux with a team of commentators including Claude Askolovitch.

Programming is designed to mix national and international coverage with regional perspectives, drawing on Ouest-France’s reporting network. 

The channel has reportedly said that it wants to reach a 2% share of the 25-49 age group within three and a half years.

Alongside news and current affairs, NOVO19 plans to broadcast documentaries, magazine programmes and popular films. 

The first evening’s broadcast included a documentary on Lille’s historic monuments and Le plus beau pays du monde on French wildlife.

The name NOVO19 is derived from its channel number on TNT plus “nous” and “vous”, underlining their commitment to forging strong links with their viewers. 

NOVO19’s backers say that the project aims to bridge national and local coverage, although the channel faces strong competition in a market crowded by rival prime-time TV options as well as international streaming services.