Franco-German Arte TV to get more French funding

The European TV channel Arte will be getting even more French government money next year, which has caused controversy. Created by the French and German governments two decades ago, Arte is funded by both countries and airs simultaneously in French and German. In France, the channel’s audience is falling, leading some to ask whether the Franco-German taxpayers should continue paying €400 million ($524.7 million). In 2005, 3.5% of French TV viewing time was spent watching Arte. By last year, this number had slipped to 2.5%, according to the French TV audience measurement company Mediametrie. In Germany viewing time edged up, but to 0.7% from 0.5% during the same period.

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