French Channels

Who are the big players in French TV and what are the in-demand services?

Les Grands Chiens

The state of satellite French TV today reflects a dynamic media landscape shaped by rapid technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences. As of October 2023, several corporate broadcasters dominate the satellite TV market, including established giants like Canal+, former state broadcaster TF1, and numerous niche channels catering to specific audiences.

Canal+, a pioneering force in French tv, continues to innovate with its on-demand services that blend traditional live programming with modern streaming options. The provider has secured exclusive rights to significant sporting events, such as Ligue 1 football and French Open tennis, appealing to avid sports fans. Furthermore, Canal+ has expanded its reach through international content offerings, including critically acclaimed series and films, allowing it to effectively compete in an increasingly globalized content market.

Competition From ‘Media Libraries’

Despite the stronghold of these corporate broadcasters, competition is robust. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have invigorated the media landscape, drawing audiences away from conventional satellite offerings. These platforms provide viewers with vast libraries of content, including original series that challenge traditional programming models. As a result, traditional broadcasters are investing heavily in their content libraries, leading to a new era of quality productions.

Recent news highlights a strategic shift in the satellite broadcasting sector, with TF1 and M6’s proposed merger facing regulatory scrutiny. Such moves indicate the industry’s ongoing consolidation efforts amidst the competitive pressures of digital streaming. Additionally, the rise of internet protocol television (IPTV) services has provided consumers with more choices, as they favour packages that combine satellite, internet, and telecom services.

iptvs market share rose to 62% in France in 2024, Satellite tv ‘s share fell by 2%

Traditional TV Fights back with Innovation

While satellite TV in France grapples with intense competition from streaming platforms and corporate mergers, its resilience remains evident through continuous innovation and adaptation to evolving market demands. With an ever-growing focus on content quality and consumer experience, the future of satellite French TV remains promising.

The landscape of television consumption in France is evolving rapidly, propelled by technological advancements and changing viewer preferences. Satellite TV has long been a staple for French households seeking reliable access to a wide array of channels and programming. However, as IPTV services gain traction, the future of satellite TV in France faces formidable competition.

News and Live Sport

Satellite television delivers a vast selection of channels, including regional and international broadcasts, that appeals to diverse audiences. Providers such as CanalSat and Astra have dominated the market by offering competitive packages that include movie channels, live sports, and on-demand content. The charm of satellite TV lies in its high-definition quality and the ability to access services in remote areas where internet connectivity may be limited. For many, it remains an essential source of news, entertainment, and cultural programming.

Conversely, the rise of IPTV represents a seismic shift in consumer behaviour. IPTV services, such as Molotov and SFR, leverage high-speed internet to deliver content directly to viewers’ devices. This flexibility allows users to watch shows on-demand and engage in interactive features, including personalized recommendations and time-shifted viewing. Moreover, the proliferation of content streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video has redefined media consumption patterns, compelling many to pivot from traditional broadcasting.

As satellite TV grapples with the challenges of an evolving market, it must innovate to maintain relevance. Hybrid models that combine satellite and internet services are emerging, enabling providers to cater to tech-savvy consumers while preserving the stability associated with satellite transmissions.

In Conclusion – The Future

The future of satellite broadcast French TV stands at a crossroads. While it continues to offer a wealth of programming, its survival hinges on adapting to the shifting tides of viewer preference and embracing the competition posed by IPTV. The coming years will reveal whether satellite TV can carve out a niche alongside the burgeoning influence of internet-based content delivery systems.

For the majority of French viewers based in the UK though, the traditional satellite platforms TNT and Fransat continue to be in high demand. Long-term they still give an excellent low cost solution.

Statistics from Wikipedia

After the dispute with Canalplus, the TF1 group of channels can now be tuned in on TNT boxes and FTA(free to air) boxes on Astra 1.

I received this information, without explanation on 17th Oct and the details are now confirmed, I am able to tune in my FTA box (Technomate) and receive TF1 channels without a card here in England. The website KingOfSat.net also shows the new frequency on Astra 1, and lists all the TF1 group channels: TF1, TF1 series Films, TMC, TFX and LCI as ‘clear’ (of encryption) .

Details of the New TP (frequency)

The TF1 channels are on a new frequency, so tuning is necessary to receive the channels on your box

• Polarity Vertical
• TP 11376 MHz
• Symbol Rate 22000

How to tune in

Whether this is a permanent or temporary fix, is unknown, I will post any further info here as I receive it.

App – MyTF1.

For anyone unable to tune their TNT box, there is a free App called MyTF1, which is currently showing all the TF1 group channels free.

Streaming Website – TF1.fr

For €2.99 / month you can stream all the TF1 group channels directly on the website. Currently 1 month free.

What’s it all about? Why have several major channels been blacked out on the TNT satellite service since the beginning of September this year, across France and the UK. It is a dispute between the broadcaster Canal+ and Channel TF1, which is demanding increased fees for its programming.

Canal Plus warned that it would no longer carry TF1 channels after they announced that they would “fundamentally review” their commercial demands. The TF1 group of channels affected are some of the most popular viewing for many French people across France and the UK:

TF1, TFX, TF1 Series Films, TMC and LCI.

Over 2 million viewers are affected, who receive the channels by satellite, those using the terrestrial service or the satellite Fransat are unaffected.

In the resulting Paris Commercial court battle it is reported that Canal Plus said that TF1 had asked for “very substantial remuneration” for it’s free-to-air channels: TF1, TMC, TFX, TF1 Séries Films and LCI, however the court ruled on 22nd September that Canal+ did not have to comply with their demands.

Canal+ stated that they would resume broadcasting on TNTsat as soon as TF1 allows them to do so, at no cost, as per previous agreement.

TF1 has suffered its second significant blow in the space of a week, with the Paris Commercial Court ruling against it and the M6 – TF1 merger plans resulting in failure.

TF1 group is appealing the court’s decision, meanwhile, the viewers wait!

TF1 has denied OTT operator Molotov’s claim to have agreed the distribution of the commercial broadcaster’s free channels in its premium pay-TV tier following Molotov’s January 7 legal defeat in its battle to carry on making the services available free of charge to its users.

The verdict of the January 7th battle between TF1 and Molotov TV has been in TF1’s favour. It follows Molotov’s recent December 2021 failure against M6 in another legal battle.

Although claiming to have agreed on the distribution of the main French channels on the Molotov TV iptv network, the Paris Courts of Justice have denied them the right to do so.

As it had been broadcasting the TF1 Group’s channels since July 2019 without authorization. Molotov was ordered to pay €8.5 million in fines. Further, it has been ordered to stop the relay of TF1 programmes in their unencrypted form.

With M6, Molotov appears to have added the channel to its pay-tv list.

TF1’s other channels Ushuaia TV, Histoire TV, and TV Breizh have been put into ‘pending’ following the decision of the courts.

-information from Digital TV Europe

Yes its changeover time yet again. If you get a message on screen saying …

Then check with Fransat to see if it has expired, go to CARD CHECK

Note : Jan 2022, PC7 is the new card type

Currently I can supply old customers @ £60 and new customers @ £80

Please give your installation invoice number. IF you no longer have the invoice just email me.

Fransat, for reasons of maintaining security from piracy and broadcasting rights, use a system requiring a change of card every 4 years. In this way they can change the electronics of the card used and integrate the latest secure methods.

Its just a pity that the French do not simply adopt an FTA (free to air) policy like UK Freesat, Germany, Turkey and others, where the signals are unencrypted, equipment costs are minimized and legitimate viewers from those countries living abroad can see their programmes without jumping through so many hoops.

Normally , with a single LNB dish, the default “Quick Install” in the Installation menu of any TNT box, is all that is required.

I have been asked a few times , what to do if your TNT box ( potentially any dedicated service box ) is connected to a multi satellite dish, via a diseqc switch ( LNB switch )

If the LNB for Astra 1 19.2 east satellite , is connected to the port 1 ( sometimes marked A or AA on diseqc 1.1 type switches ) then it will work as usual

If the Astra 1 satellite is on port 2,3,4 ( any other port than 1 ) then simply set it up first in the antenna settings

These instructions are for the Strong SRT 7404 , a very popular box, but will apply equally to all TNT boxes.

Strong TNT 7404  HD

Select Switch Type then “DiSEqC 1.0” or “Tone Burst” according to your switch type

Select Switch Input then “Port 2, 3 or 4” depending on the switch port through which you receive Astra 19.2

Save by pressing the “red” button on the remote control, then exit the menu to begin your search for TNTSAT channels

Select “Quick Install”

Press the “red” button on the remote control to start the search. Once completed, the SRT7404 will start on ch 1.

Updated 2022:

Tuning on the new range of receivers, Strong 7406

Strong TNT 7406 HD

Easy to use, complete with card, will record if USB disc is connected, will connect to old ( scart ) or new ( HDMI) type tvs.  Even has IR extension lead so the box  can be hidden away if required and the IR Infra Red remote control will still operate.  
Standard TNT Channel list: TF1: TF1, TFX, TF1 films series, CanalPlus: Canal+ ( en clair ), Cstar, Cnews, France 2, France 3, France 4, France 5,  France Ô, Arte, M6, C8, W9, Monte Carlo, NRJ12, LCP, BFM, Gulli, L’equipe, 23, RMC Decouverte, Cherie 25, 6Ter, LCI , FranceInfo, All the regional France3 channels. Plus : i24, RT France, France24, CCTV, TV5monde Europe, TV5 France Belgique Suisse, M6 Boutique, EuroNews  Almost all channels are now HD

However, when using this receiver for multi-satellite, the recent changes in the software of the box will prevent some channels from being viewed.

In particular, the Italian main channels, RAI 1 , 2 and 3 which are FTA (free to air) will not show.

Some German channels will be affected, but fortunately not the main ZDF and ARD channels

The Spanish free channels TVE and TVE news are unaffected.

A few Freesat channels, from the UK, though most remain ok.

In general, if your FTA channel shares a TP ( frequency ) with any Encrypted channel, it will not be viewable.