ABSTRACT
As broadcasting systems throughout western Europe continue to evolve in the light of new technological, social and political developments, France stands out as a leading example of radical change. In the space of the past few years the French broadcasting system has altered beyond recognition. It is not just that new radio stations and television channels have been established in a remarkably short space of time, though this itself would have been significant. More importantly, the quintessential nature of the system has been transformed. The French state has abandoned its monopoly control of broadcasting and opened up the field to a host of new forces of which commercial media entrepreneurs are only the most evident. Consequently, it is within this overall context of a national broadcasting system which is still going through a revolutionary transition that the anticipated impact of satellite technology must be placed.
