Most R&D spending corresponds to activities relating to the market launch of a new product, service or programme. TF1 also carries out some in-house development work for efficiency reasons.
R&D spending in 2008 amounted to approximately €14 million, including creation and innovation costs for light entertainment, drama and films.
Technological innovations in 2008 concerned interactive services for internet/TV/telephone boxes, new web video advertising formats, internet video, content protection, anti-piracy measures and cinema digitisation.
The TF1 group launched TF1 Outdoor (giant screens in public places) and filed licence applications for three digital radio stations, LCI Radio, Wat Radio and Plurielles Radio.
In 2008, TF1 developed Process News & Sports 2 (PNS2), a software package that will modernise the production of news bulletins and sports magazines. It also invested in a very high quality broadcasting system for the Discovery division based at Lorient in Brittany. The system offers automated management of screen formats (16/9, 4/3, etc.) and time-shifted viewing.
Other areas of R&D included high-definition digital terrestrial TV (HD DTT), personal mobile TV and preparations for the end of analogue broadcasting in 2011.
(Updated: April 2009)
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