French commercial broadcaster Tf1 has announced new details of its new free-to-air streaming platform TF1+, which will launch on 8 January.
The launch comes just over a year after the cancellation of a planned merger between TF1 and rival commercial broadcaster M6 and just months after the closure of Salto, TF1’s failed shared streaming platform with M6 and France Télévisions.
Rodolphe Belmer, director of TF1, said at a press conference in Paris on Wednesday that the broadcaster wants to make TF1+ the largest free streaming platform in France.
“It’s a big moment for the group and a big start,” he said.
He added that a main goal of the creation was to increase TF1’s advertising revenue in the digital space.
Noting that 35 out of every 100 hours of television in France are now consumed on demand, Belmer said TF1 needs to be more proactive in the digital space.
“Our share is very poor in the digital video advertising market, which is now worth two billion euros and growing between 10 and 15% every year,” he said.
There will also be an ad-free subscription package at €5.99 ($6.57) per month, which will also allow viewers to watch new episodes of their favorite shows before they air on TF1’s official schedule.
The platform is presented as a “better” alternative to the myTF1 catch-up service.
Unlike myTF1, which makes content available seven days after broadcast, programs on TF1+ have a minimum period of 30 days.
The platform offers 15,000 hours of free entertainment, news and sports.
The January 8 launch coincides with the first edition of TF1’s new breakfast show, hosted by former BFMTV presenter Bruce Toussaint, as well as the first episode of the rebooted soap Plus Belle La Vie.
TF1 hopes to revive the latter programme, which ran on the France 3 channel for 18 years before being canceled by the state broadcaster, which cited a change in viewing habits and a declining audience as reasons for the move.
Plus Belle La Vie will be one of 200 series along with popular programs such as: B. is fully available on the TF1+ platform HPI (High intellectual potential), Tomorrow is ours (Demain is now clear) And It all starts here (Ici Tout begins).
There are also 200 feature films and 200 television films as well as entertainment programs such as: The voice, Ko Lanta And Star Academy and sports programming, with a new AI-based service called Top Chrono that gives viewers personalized updates on sporting events within five, 10 or 15 minutes.
Source: Deadline
Joseph Fearn is an entertainment and television aficionado who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for what’s hot in the world of TV, Joseph keeps his readers informed about the latest trends and must-see shows.
