Type of site | |
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| Available in | English French |
| No. of locations | 1 |
| Area served |
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| Founder |
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| Key people |
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| Industry | Entertainment, Internet |
| Products |
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| Services |
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| URL | |
| Registration | Required |
| Launched | 21 August 2021; 4 years ago (2021-08-21)(United States) |
| Current status | Active |
France Channel is an online digital video subscription service, founded by Julien Verley (former executive ofCanal+ Group andFrance Télévisions), operating in the United States but headquartered in France.
Due to the rising popularity of Subscription Video on Demand services (SVODs), commonly known as streaming services, such asNetflix andAmazon Prime Video, around the world, especially among younger demographics, traditional TV has had to adapt in a changing market to appeal to younger generations in fear of being left in the dust by the SVOD services.[1] In response to this, various European public service broadcasters (PSBs), have had to put many old rivalries aside in favor of collaborations in an attempt to compete against SVODs with their streaming services being launched often in their on countries.[2] Most notable services areJoyn (joint-venture betweenProSiebenSat.1 Media andDiscovery, Inc. with ProSiebenSat.1 Media taking full ownership later on) launched for the domestic market inGermany,[3]Salto (launched through the collaboration ofTF1 Group,M6 Group, andFrance Télévisions before being closed in 2023) launched for the domestic market inFrance,[4] andBritBox (originally a joint venture betweenBBC andITV until ITV took complete control of the UK service in 2022 and the operations of the international service being completely transferred toBBC Studios, under BBC, in 2024) launched for both the domestic market in theUnited Kingdom and in various international markets starting with theUnited States, but later expanding toCanada,Australia,South Africa, and theNordic countries.[5][6][7][8][9][10] In 2020, it was announced that BritBox alone reached over 1 million subscribers in North America (US and Canada only).[11]
After the success of BritBox internationally, especially in the United States,[11] Julien Verley (former executive ofCanal+ Group andFrance Télévisions) founded France Channels, SAS with the intent of launching a "French version of BritBox" aimed at international markets, but with French media content being on the platform with English and French subtitles and with some content also being dubbed in English. This is an effort to promote French culture and media abroad, similar to how BritBox does the same with British media and culture.[12] The company also struck a deal with NetGem to provide the technology for its distribution platform.[13][14][15] Originally slated for Spring 2021, but later pushed back to August 2021, the service launched in theUnited States with content partnerships with Canal+ Group (nowCanal+ S.A.),France Télévisions,TF1 Group,France Médias Monde,M6 Group, andArte France. Under the partnership with France Médias Monde, subscribers are able to watch livestreams of both the English and the French versions ofFrance 24.[16][17][18]
In June 2023, the France Channel launched as a Subscription channel onAmazon Prime Video.[19][20] France Channel is also available as a Subscription channel onThe Roku Channel.
Various French TV shows, movies, documentaries, and live TV networks appear on France Channel.
