Laura Carollo
Research expert covering cinema and film
Television consumption in France - statistics & facts
Ever since it first burst into French living rooms in the 1970s, television has been part of the daily routines of many French consumers. Thanks to technical developments such as color television, digital and high-definition resolutions, the small screen has successfully taken up the challenge of evolving and adapting to the needs of its audience ever since. As of 2023, 73 percent of French people claimed to watch television every day. However, while 2020 marked an unprecedented increase in television viewership, audience figures have been steadily declining as the average television viewing time reached an all-time low in 2023.
At a time when the world of television seems to be struggling to remain relevant in the lives of French people, the sectors of catch-up television and video streaming are gaining ground with many consumers, to the detriment of linear television. This is particularly true at a time when the consumption of TV shows has been rising sharply in recent years.
TF1 leads the way
The number of television channels has multiplied since the 1980s, offering content that is as broad as it is diverse. However, the historical channels remain the ones that attract the most viewers; TF1 is the leading French television channel ahead of France 2 and France 3, and far ahead of the other more specialized channels in terms of audience. TF1 is also home to the favorite prime time show of French viewers – the TV show “HPI”. Fictions, telefilms and other TV shows remained the program type the group invested most in, which saw its turnover recover in 2022 to reach more than 2.5 billion euros.Catching up
The phenomenon of catch-up television has revolutionized the television industry and the way the public views entertainment. French consumers have been quick to adopt this new way of consuming, so much so that almost 70 percent have reported watching a catch-up TV program in 2022, mostly on their television set. Similarly, about 40 percent of viewers watches a replay television program at least once a week.Streaming is gaining traction
Another major upheaval has been the widespread use of video-on-demand (VoD) platforms. Thanks to their extensive catalogue and low price, VoD platforms such as Netflix have succeeded in propelling this model and making it essential for many consumers. Today, the offer of similar services has multiplied in order to meet user demand, and these platforms have succeeded in establishing themselves as a more modern alternative. According to a study conducted in April 2022, about a third of Gen Z respondents spent between one to five hours a week watching television via streaming services.At a time when the world of television seems to be struggling to remain relevant in the lives of French people, the sectors of catch-up television and video streaming are gaining ground with many consumers, to the detriment of linear television. This is particularly true at a time when the consumption of TV shows has been rising sharply in recent years.
