Picture Credit: Netflix
As was teased for a year, Netflix did a world first on Friday morning by adding replay programs and linear channels from a third party for the first time ever, with leading French broadcaster TF1 and its free platform TF1+ (Netflix has previously experimented, again in France, with live channels with Netflix Direct). The deployment was announced during TF1 Group’s splashy upfronts in Paris on Thursday night, with additional details to follow soon after. Here is what we learned and a comprehensive glance at how it all looks now for French Netflix subscribers.
The operation was announced for June of 2026, and the actual time was unknown until Thursday night, when Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters made a surprise appearance at the TF1 upfronts to discuss the expanding partnership with the French leader. They also officially announced a deployment, effective on Friday, of all the programs and channels TF1, TMC, TFX, TF1 Séries Films, and LCI on Netflix. The deployment comes a year, day, and date after the announcement of said deal at Cannes Lions, which we analyzed here.
Why is Netflix adding TV channels and replay services to its platform?
Rodolphe Bellmer and Greg Peters. (Cr : Hugues Lawson-Body/TF1)
Shortly after the TF1 upfronts, a joint interview between Greg Peters and TF1 Groupe CEO Rodolphe Bellmer was published in Le Parisien. Even though both partners declined to discuss the business terms of the deal, both financially and in length, they offered more insight into the mutually beneficial agreement. Highlighting that the platform now counts close to 15 million subscribers in France, Rodolphe Bellmer candidly said: “Netflix subscribers consume few traditional television offerings.”
This will significantly increase our average viewing time [for our programs], and we know that Netflix subscribers also appreciate our programming since we co-produced several offerings. We are convinced that other content from us will become popular with them, and thus will be recommended.” For his part, Greg Peters said that the technical aspects of the integration of the TF1+ catalog “were the easy part.” The point was to conceive this experience to make TF1 programming easily accessible and entice our subscribers to watch it.” In France, the integration of linear channels is not new; direct competitor Prime Video has integrated public broadcaster France Télévisions channels and programs onto its platform; Disney+ in France also added a third-party channel a few days ago, sports-centric La Chaîne L’Équipe.
How does the integration into Netflix work?
Picture Credit: Netflix
For now, everything is tidy and fully integrated into a TF1+ corner on the Netflix homepage. It can be found on the left, with a list of programming genres, both on Smart TVs and in the mobile app. The subscriber does not have to wait long to scroll and find a selection of TF1+ programming on a specific rail. And since it’s early days, a pop-up informs French subscribers about the arrival of TF1+ on mobile apps.
Once the subscriber enters the corner, there is easy access to the linear channels of TF1, draped in the characteristic blue hue of the channel, then to a selection of highlights/current programming, mainly for TF1 and not its sister channels, including the rebooted summer saga Zodiaque.
Even though the TF1+ thumbnail is not visible right away, it becomes clear as the subscriber accesses the program page.
Picture Credit: Netflix
Picture Credit: Netflix
The Ici Tout Commence program page. (screen capture)
What’s missing—for now?
The deployment on the smartphone app does not include the linear channels yet; on the Web app, even though the programming can be accessed through the search bar, the TF1+ corner app remains invisible. Ditto the linear channels. Netflix has adapted its own thumbnail types to fit TF1 programming; all of the relevant programming has “new episodes/new seasons” added, but as of right now, there is no “last chance” tag, while it exists on the mobile app of TF1+. This is especially relevant for the catalog of movies available on TF1+—and now on Netflix, some of which remain in replay for 7 to 30 days. Whether this will be added at a later date remains unconfirmed.
Also unavailable and not transferred from TF1+: the AVOD 24/7 channels play select programming continuously.
Examples of AVOD channels for TF1+ French shows, on the TF1+ Web app. (screenshot)
That part is not a big loss, as the catalog of said shows remains entirely on demand and integrated into Netflix. Finally, the linear channels only play in normal HD, not in 4K; this matches the current overall experience for TF1+. As the integration is free of charge for all Netflix subscribers, there is potential for Premium subscribers to have 4K streaming down the line, but this remains unconfirmed and undiscussed by both partners. BFMTV mentions that 4K may be added down the line, “depending on TF1’s progress” (sic).
The TF1 ads on Netflix
The entire catalog of TF1+ will feature a certain number of ads during the programs, and on linear channels, they will be inescapable, even for subscribers with Standard/Premium tiers. It is to be noted that TF1+ has offered its own Premium tier from the jump, which removes ads and offers previews of select programming (mainly event TV series). As one of the goals is to increase awareness and viewership among Netflix subscribers, the first few months are also set to boost the overall ad sales for the TF1 group. The silver lining: any subscriber can now be recommended TF1+ content through recommendations, and add it to My List to be watched later (or sooner). That recommendation boost also enhances the (very likely) possibility of TF1 programming popping up in the French Top 10 of Netflix France.
An opt-out feature
A less-advertised aspect of the deployment, spotted by Nicolas Lellouche at Numerama, is the ability to deactivate the TF1+ corner through the settings in each Netflix profile (and not the Netflix account). Even though TF1+ programming will remain visible in search results, Netflix will no longer recommend TF1+ content once the box is unchecked.
This new partnership is essentially a giant test for future linear integrations for interested audiovisual groups. Even though no such deals have been officially announced in other parts of the world, we can speculate that there is a wait-and-see approach to gauge the significance of the results for the TF1 group. As Greg Peters teased in his Le Parisien interview, the TF1+ integration is one of many elements of a strategic partnership he hopes will extend for decades.
Picture Credit: Netflix
Are you intrigued by this new integration prospect? If you are a French subscriber, do you intend to visit the TF1+ corner frequently and watch TF1 channels on Netflix? Sound off in the comments below!
