French viewers will soon be able to watch TF1 on a new platform — Netflix.
Billed by the U.S. streaming giant as a “new kind of partnership,” TF1’s commercial stations and on-demand content will be available on Netflix from summer next year. Financial details were not disclosed.
The seemingly landmark distribution agreement is the equivalent of NBC, or another major American commercial network, handing over its output to Netflix.
It is further evidence of Netflix’s growing power over traditional TV networks, as well as a marker of the ambition it has for its ad business. If successful, it could prove to be a test case for similar deals as Netflix aims to cement its position as the world’s TV channel.
Netflix said French viewers will be able to watch TF1 shows like The Voice “without ever having to leave the service” — an unambiguous statement about its desire to keep members locked in.
Greg Peters, co-CEO of Netflix, said: “This is a first-of-its-kind partnership that plays to our strengths of giving audiences the best entertainment alongside the best discovery experience.”
Greg Peters and Rodolphe Belmer
Rodolphe Belmer, CEO of TF1 Group, added: “As viewing habits shift toward on-demand consumption and audience fragmentation increases, this unprecedented alliance will enable our premium content to reach unparalleled audiences and unlock new reach for advertisers.”
Peters flew into France to attend Cannes Lions, the ad market festival where the deal was announced. It signals a deepening of ties between Netflix and TF1 after they partnered on co-productions like Les Combattantes and L’Agence.
Last November, Netflix, TF1, and Newen Studio collaborated on the streamer’s first daily drama series in France. Tout Pour La Lumière will be available on Netflix five days before its free-to-air broadcast on TF1.
