Netflix to start offering France’s TF1 linear feeds, on-demand content in 2026

A French broadcaster has signed a deal that will eventually bring its linear and on-demand content to Netflix’s streaming experience.

Netflix is slated to start incorporating TF1 linear feeds and VOD from its TF1+ brand starting in the summer of 2026.

“This is a first-of-its-kind partnership that plays to our strengths of giving audiences the best entertainment alongside the best discovery experience,” said Greg Peters, co-CEO of Netflix, in a statement. “By teaming up with France’s leading broadcaster we will provide French consumers with even more reasons to come to Netflix every day and to stay with us for all their entertainment.”

This distribution partnership will allow Netflix subscribers in France to access a package of TF1 Group’s content from within the Netflix app as part of their existing subscriptions.’

“I am delighted about this new partnership with Netflix, with whom we have already established strong relationships through ambitious co-productions in recent months,” said Rodolphe Belmer, CEO of TF1 Group. “As viewing habits shift toward on-demand consumption and audience fragmentation increases, this unprecedented alliance will enable our premium content to reach unparalleled audiences and unlock new reach for advertisers within an ecosystem that perfectly complements our TF1+ platform.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

The two companies have previously partnered to co-produce French-language content. 

The move appears to be a way for Netflix to try its hand at incorporating a linear provider’s content into its offerings. In some ways, it echoes services such as Hulu + Live TV, a service that blends Hulu’s streaming library with live TV and on-demand content from a lineup of channels and networks that is similar to a legacy cable or satellite subscription.

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Although this particular deal won’t include content from networks outside of TF1 Group, it’s hard not to see this as a way for Netflix to test the waters with this type of setup.

Both streaming and vMVPDs have proven to be strong alternatives to legacy linear TV, but both still face challenges with churn and customer acquisition. Combining services, in a format that is essentially a bundle, has been one way that streamers and companies ranging from competing streaming services, subscriptions such as mobile phone plans and premium retail subscriptions, as well as legacy TV plans, to bring value to customers.

There has also been evidence that bundling services can help cut down on cancellations given the potential inconvenience of losing multiple services.

It’s not clear if Netflix may be interested in eventually adding more live third-party channels through similar partnerships around the world. Such partnerships could include the added content at no additional cost or under an add-on pricing model, though it appears the forthcoming TF1 deal will be a “value add” for subscribers.

The way linear TV is regulated and distributed can vary depending on the part of the world, which, in turn, drives variations in the TV economy and it may make more sense in some markets than others. 

It’s also possible the streamer could opt to create its own vMPVD service, though there have not been any clear signs that it might be interested in tackling that strategy. Instead, the streamer has been focused on boosting its live offerings, including its recent Tudum fan festival and venturing into live news and sports productions.