French broadcaster TF1 Group’s live channels and on-demand content will soon be available on Netflix in France as part of a broad carriage deal between the two companies—and producers are hopeful that the move will result in more funding for kids programming. 

Starting next summer, TF1’s content will be available to all Netflix subscribers in France for no additional fee. This is a “first-of-its-kind” deal aimed at giving French consumers more value on Netflix, said Greg Peters, the streamer’s co-CEO. 

For TF1, teaming up with the world’s largest SVOD service is a way to reach a fragmented audience that is shifting its viewing to on-demand, noted Rodolphe Belmer, CEO of TF1 Group. 

The deal builds on a partnership history that has seen the companies co-produce projects for adults, such as live-action series L’Agence and the film Tout le bleu du ciel. 

TF1 Group says it reaches 58 million viewers per month with its broadcast channels, and 35 million users via its TF1+ streamer. In France, Netflix has more than 13 million subscribers, according to analytics tracker FlixPatrol. 

French producers and distributors shared their first impressions of the partnership with Kidscreen this morning, expressing optimism—both about the deal and what it could mean for the kids audience and France’s animation industry. 

“We’re genuinely impressed by TF1’s leadership in Europe on such a groundbreaking deal,” says Phillippe Soutter, president and co-founder of distributor PGS Entertainment. “It’s a major win—and we’re confident the ripple effect will be a strong positive for the animation sector, too. What’s good for our partners is good for us.” 

Netflix and TF1 are aiming to put together a strong offering for viewers, says Lionel Marty, CEO of Madgic-owned distributor APC Kids, who hopes that the deal will benefit both viewers and APC’s clients. “It’s a change for the industry, and I’m hopeful it’s one for the better.”

This partnership might also mean French producers will see more content get co-financed, which would be a boon to the struggling industry, says Marc du Pontavice, founder and CEO of Xilam Animation. “It will hopefully generate opportunities for co-investment between TF1 and Netflix in the French domestic market, including for animated content, which is critical at a time when international revenues are slowing.” 

Xilam teamed up with TF1 earlier this month to develop the CG-animated comedy Turbo Twins, a series that could potentially (and eventually) benefit from exposure on both TF1 and Netflix because of this deal. 

Picture by Anthony Delanoix on Unsplash.