French audio-visual expertise to star at IBC in September

The French Pavilion, which will be located in Halls 2, 8 and 11 of the IBC trade show, in Amsterdam (in the Netherlands), will present 33 exhibitors in radio, in television, in the electronic media, and in content-generating industries. French expertise from across the sector will be showcased, including lighting, video and sound technology; vision solutions; broadcasting software; video distribution; and, finally, radio-broadcast systems. A full list of exhibitors on the French Pavilion is available upon request.

As in other countries, the audio-visual sector in France has been revolutionised by the development of digital technology, which has led to radical changes both in the industry and in associated services. The major development of recent years has been the unexpected success of digital terrestrial television (DTTV). As of the beginning of 2010, 87% of the French population is now in an area that is covered by DTTV. The deployment of DTTV is continuing, with a goal of reaching 95% of the French population by 2011.

Access to digital media in France has grown at a steady pace – currently, 60% of households have access to digital television (DTTV, satellite, ADSL or cable). DTTV has been responsible for much of this growth, but the reception of TV via ADSL also accounts for a significant share of the digital-media boom of the past few years.

Digital radio, on the other hand, is still relatively undeveloped in France. It was officially launched in 2009 during the SIEL-SATIS-RADIO trade show in Paris, and an initial pylon intended for digital terrestrial radio was inaugurated on 26 May 2010 in Nantes (in the west of the country). It is being used for the experimental broadcast of a programme package. Two competing standards (T-DMB and DAB+) will be tested for about 100 professionals from the sector.

Digital radio will allow for an increase in the volume of radio programmes (since the FM bandwidth is currently saturated), as well as better coverage, with a single frequency for every radio station on the network. In the future, it will also be possible to display information and/or images on the screens of digital radio receivers.

About France Broadcast

France Broadcast is an association for the broadcast-radio industry in France. Its members are primarily innovative SMEs that are increasing their operations and sales through exports, while being strongly committed to sustainable development. France Broadcast supports initiatives that promote French technology, as well as projects designed to maintain or create jobs in the audio-visual industry.

For further information, please go to: www.france-broadcast.fr

About CCIP

The Paris Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Paris, or CCIP) represents and promotes the interests of companies based in Paris (France). CCIP is run by an elected board of 80 company managers. CCIP supports businesses, especially SMEs, at every stage of their development, with a particular focus on international growth.

The Paris Chamber of Commerce & Industry is organising the French Pavilion at the IBC trade show, which will take place in Amsterdam (in the Netherlands) from 9 to 14 September 2010. The French Pavilion will be located in Halls 2, 8 and 11.

For further information about IBC, please go to: http://www.ibc.org/

For further information about CCIP, please go to: www.ccip.fr