France 24 expands U.S. streaming distribution through PBS partnership

France 24 is expanding its presence in the United States through a new distribution agreement with PBS that will allow public television stations to offer the international news network’s English-language channel on their digital platforms.

Under the agreement, PBS member stations can elect to livestream France 24 English as an additional linear channel through PBS.org and the PBS app. The arrangement gives participating stations access to a continuous international news feed without developing additional programming themselves.

The addition brings the number of live, linear, commercial-free streaming channels available to PBS member stations to nine, further expanding the public broadcaster’s digital offerings.

For France 24, the partnership creates another distribution outlet in the U.S. market, making its English-language news coverage available to viewers through an established network of local public television stations.

“We are proud to offer France 24 in English to American audiences and firmly believe that the channel will receive a warm welcome,” France 24 Director Vanessa Burggraf said in a statement.

Burggraf described the agreement as an opportunity to broaden access to international journalism at a time when news organizations face growing concerns about misinformation and the reliability of information.

France 24 is part of France Médias Monde, France’s international public broadcasting organization. The network operates four 24-hour news channels broadcasting in English, French, Arabic and Spanish, offering international reporting and analysis from a French perspective.

The broadcaster says its channels are available to approximately 577 million households worldwide and reach 153.7 million people each week, including 108.5 million television viewers.

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Its news operation draws on a network of approximately 200 correspondents around the world, covering international politics, economics, conflicts and other developments.

The PBS agreement reflects the continued expansion of live television programming within public media streaming services, where stations can supplement traditional broadcast schedules with additional digital channels.

“We are thrilled to team up with France 24, creating a new opportunity for our member stations to bring the channel’s English digital content to their viewers through PBS platforms,” said Ira Rubenstein, PBS chief digital and marketing officer. “It’s a natural fit for public media’s mission to reach viewers wherever they are with in-depth, trustworthy journalism.”

The arrangement also gives PBS stations an additional source of international news programming alongside their existing national, local and public affairs content.

France 24 already distributes its programming through cable, satellite, digital terrestrial television, connected television platforms and mobile applications. Its four language services are also available through YouTube.

The network reported 2.6 billion digital video views in 2025 and says its social media accounts collectively have more than 73.3 million subscribers and followers. Its websites generate approximately 17.9 million visits per month.

Participation in the new streaming arrangement will be optional for individual PBS member stations, allowing each station to determine whether to add France 24 English to its digital channel lineup.