France’s media regulator CSA (Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel) has approved Canal+ Group’s proposed acquisition of Direct 8 and Direct Star from the Bollore Group.

The Council based its approval on the promise of enriched programme offerings, which are for the interest of the viewers. However, it noted that Canal+ should maintain the format of the two channels and strengthen original production.

Along with the approval are strict conditions, such as: D8 (Direct 8) should broadcast a minimum of 730 hours of entirely new programs on French television (free and paid); D8 should diversify its sports programmes; and D8 should limit the amount of unencrypted original series from the United States, to name a few.