FRA9 FILE · Television & media
French television: DTT, live, catch-up and access
Current DTT numbers, public and private channels, official platforms, access abroad and accessibility options.
See the essentials at a glance
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key points: TNT · france.tv · ARTE · Replay
Understand the landscape without confusing channels and platforms
French television combines free and pay DTT, operator packages, thematic channels, catch-up television and on-demand services. A channel is an editorial stream; a platform such as france.tv, TF1+, M6+, ARTE.tv or myCANAL brings together live feeds, catch-up and catalogues whose rights differ. France Télévisions operates the main national public group; ARTE is a Franco-German cultural service; TF1 and M6 lead much of free private television; CANAL+ is primarily subscription-based. Start with the exact programme, its official broadcaster, the date and the country where it will be watched.
DTT: the numbering now in force
France's national channel plan changed on 6 June 2025. TF1 remains channel 1, France 2 is 2 and France 3 is 3; France 4 moved to 4, France 5 remains 5, M6 is 6 and ARTE is 7. News channels are grouped from 13 to 16, with franceinfo at 16. T18 occupies 18 and NOVO19 occupies 19. CANAL+ ended its pay DTT transmission on that date; Paris Première remains the national pay channel in the terrestrial offer. If channels are missing on an aerial installation, retune the television and check coverage before changing a subscription.
Public television: live, regional and knowledge services
France 2 carries a national general schedule; France 3 combines national output with regional news; France 4 focuses particularly on younger audiences, culture and selected events; France 5 specialises in knowledge, documentaries and society; franceinfo provides rolling news. France.tv carries the available live channels, catch-up and collections, while La 1ère connects overseas territories. ARTE complements the public landscape with documentaries, films, series, concerts and magazines in a Franco-German framework. For local news, search for the relevant France 3 regional edition rather than relying only on the national feed.
TF1+, M6+, myCANAL and viewing rights
TF1+ and M6+ gather the live and on-demand programmes of their groups; myCANAL provides access to CANAL+ offers and included channels according to the subscription. A title shown by a channel is not guaranteed to have catch-up, the same availability period, no advertising or access in every country. Films, series and sport depend especially on contractual windows and territories. Check the programme page, expiry date, languages, subtitles and exact subscribed package before paying. For sport, begin with the competition organiser or the broadcaster announced for the relevant tournament and season.
Find the right programme and avoid obsolete listings
Use the broadcaster's schedule or the electronic guide supplied by the television or operator first. A productive search combines the exact title, channel, episode or fixture, date and live or catch-up status. For a French series, distinguish the broadcast season, available episode, extras and subscription catalogue. If a schedule changes, the official channel and programme page take precedence over aggregators. Do not confuse metropolitan French time with local time overseas or abroad. Save the official page rather than a screenshot because times, rights, age restrictions and expiry dates can change.
Watch from outside France
Audiovisual rights are territorial. An account created in France does not automatically make every live feed or replay available abroad, and the catalogue may change during travel. Read the broadcaster's help and availability information, then look for an official distributor in the country concerned. TV5MONDE operates regionalised channels and TV5MONDEplus offers a free worldwide French-language service, although its catalogue also depends on local rights. ARTE displays availability dates and provides selected content in several languages. A VPN is neither a technical guarantee nor permission to bypass terms or rights.
Subtitles, audio description and sign language
Symbols and controls vary by programme, live or catch-up version, device and distributor. Look for deaf and hard-of-hearing subtitles, audio description, French Sign Language and display settings before transmission. Arcom states that when a programme was accessible on linear television, that accessibility should in principle carry over to catch-up; its report published on 18 February 2026 nevertheless shows that actual quality still needs checking. If an option is missing, test the official application and audio menu, then report the channel, title, date, device and service precisely.
Children, accounts, advertising and fraudulent offers
France's youth ratings mark content for ages 10, 12, 16 and 18; they support but do not replace household rules or a platform's child profile. Check in-app purchases, renewal, simultaneous screens, cancellation and account data. Reject an IPTV offer that promises every channel and sports competition for a negligible price, requests opaque payment or installs an app outside an official store: it may be illegal, unstable or malicious. Prefer the broadcaster or operator's website, retain the contract and use a unique password with two-factor authentication where available.
Frequently asked questions
What are the new numbers for France 4 and franceinfo?
Since 6 June 2025, France 4 has occupied channel 4 and franceinfo channel 16 on national DTT.
Is CANAL+ still broadcast on DTT?
CANAL+ ended its pay DTT transmission on 6 June 2025. Its services remain available through official distribution channels and subscriptions.
Why is a French replay blocked abroad?
Rights are licensed by territory and time period. Check the broadcaster's availability information and look for official distribution in your country.
Should a live subtitled programme retain subtitles on catch-up?
Arcom says a programme accessible on linear television should in principle retain that accessibility on catch-up; still check the version and report failures.
How can a risky IPTV offer be recognised?
Treat implausibly large low-price catalogues, opaque payments, off-store apps and missing verifiable company or contract details as warning signs.
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