rench satellite‐TV package BIS Télévisions has reconfigured its broadcasts on the Hot Bird satellite. After months of simulcasting the same channels on both old and new transponders, the company has now switched off the historical frequencies. This means that customers who receive the BIS package via Hot Bird must now tune to the new frequencies to continue watching French channels such as TF1, France 2, France 3, M6, ARTE, BFM TV and others.
According to the official update, the old transponders were taken down at 09:00 CET after a period of dual transmission. The announcement in French reads (translation):
“BIS TV’s historical frequencies on Hot Bird were switched off this morning at 9 a.m. after several months of dual broadcasting. BIS channels are now broadcast on the following frequencies: 10892 H (symbol rate 27 500, FEC ¾) and 11900 H (symbol rate 27 500, FEC ¾). A new channel search is required on your decoder.”
Why the change?
This change has been anticipated for some time. In October 2025, satellite TV retailers warned customers that BIS TV would migrate to new frequencies and advised viewers to retune before the end of November 2025 . The transition allowed BIS TV to consolidate its French package on more efficient transponders (DVB‑S2, 8 PSK, 27 500 kS/s) and free up capacity on Hot Bird. During the migration, both the old and new frequencies were broadcast simultaneously, giving subscribers ample time to adjust their receivers. As of March 2026 the dual transmission has ended, so tuning to the new frequencies is now mandatory.
New BIS TV frequencies on Hot Bird
Below is a concise summary of the new transponder parameters for BIS TV on Eutelsat Hot Bird 13° E. These settings apply to generic satellite receivers as well as CI+ CAM modules; official FRANSAT receivers should update automatically:
| Frequency (MHz) | Polarisation | Symbol rate (kS/s) | FEC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10892 H | Horizontal | 27 500 | 3/4 | DVB‑S2 8PSK transponder carrying TF1, France 2, France 3, M6, ARTE, W9, TMC and other general‑interest channels . |
| 11900 H | Horizontal | 27 500 | 3/4 | DVB‑S2 8PSK transponder carrying BFM TV, C Star, Gulli, Equidia, RTL 9, AB 1, Automoto La Chaîne, Chasse & Pêche, Mangas and other thematic channels . |
What you need to do
- Perform a fresh channel scan: Use the manual installation or transponder search function on your satellite receiver to add the two frequencies above. Enter the frequency, polarisation (H), symbol rate (27 500 kS/s) and FEC (3⁄4), then scan for channels.
- Update your favourites: After scanning, the BIS channels may appear at the end of your channel list. Organise them into your favourites for quick access.
- Check your CAM and subscription: If you use a BIS TV viewing card and CAM, ensure your card is valid and inserted correctly. Some modules may need a power‑cycle after retuning.
- Official receivers: Official FRANSAT or BIS TV receivers should update automatically. If you still see “No Signal”, perform a manual scan or contact your equipment supplier.
Need help?
If you have difficulties retuning your receiver or CAM module, TotalSat is here to help. We can provide step‑by‑step guidance or recommend equipment compatible with the new BIS TV transponders. Feel free to contact us for more support.
By staying up to date with these frequency changes, you can continue enjoying your favourite French programmes without interruption.