Audience share of the leading TV channels in France 2023

As of 2023, the private national TV channel called TF1 was the leading television channel in France with a market share of 18.6 percent. It was followed by France 2, the first public national TV channel, whose market share amounted to 15.3 percent that year. In 2022, TF1's revenue exceeded 2.5 billion euros. 

TF1 and the FIFA World Cup: audience leaders in 2018

TF1 is known in France for broadcasting major international sporting events including mainly all matches of France’s national football team also called “Les Bleus”. In 2018, the FIFA World Cup, which was held in Russia, saw France winning the competition. This event was followed by millions of French viewers and the final between France and Croatia on July 15, was the most watched TV program in France that year. 19.4 million French people viewed this game, while among the twenty most watched TV programs in the country that year, 12 concerned the World Cup. Thanks to the French football team being crowned World Champions, the turnover of TF1 Group went from 2.1 million euros up to 2.8 million in 2018.

Watching television in France

In 2017, the share of French households with a subscription to television channels exceeded 60 percent. Despite the development of new viewing modes such as replay, streaming or video-on-demand used on tablets or computers, the number of TV households increased since 2008. However, more screens do not necessarily mean more viewing time. In recent years, the average television watching time decreased in the country reaching 229.4 minutes per day in 2018, compared to 244 minutes in 2014.