TF1 facts for kids
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| Country |  France |
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| Broadcast area |
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| Headquarters | TF1 Tower, Quai du Point-du-Jour, Boulogne-Billancourt |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | French |
| Picture format | |
| Timeshift service | TF1 +1 |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | TF1 Group |
| Sister channels |
List
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| History | |
| Launched |
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| Founder |
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| Former names |
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| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| TNT | Channel 1 (HD) |
TF1 is a very popular French TV channel. Its name stands for Télévision Française 1, which means "French Television 1". It is owned by the TF1 Group, which is part of a larger company called Bouygues. TF1 is watched by many people in France, making it the most popular TV network in the country.
TF1 is also part of a bigger group of media companies. This group includes a news channel called LCI. TF1 supports a special technology called Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HBBTV). This technology helps combine regular TV with online content.
Contents
The Story of TF1
Early Days of French TV
French television started a long time ago, on April 26, 1935. It was first called Radio-PTT Vision. This makes it one of the oldest TV stations in the world that is still around today.
In the beginning, TV pictures were not very clear. Engineers like René Barthélemy worked hard to make them better. They used special cameras and screens. Early TV broadcasts were short, only about 30 to 45 minutes long. They were shown a few days a week.
In 1935, a government minister named Georges Mandel saw how good TV could be. He decided to start a regular TV service in France. On April 26, 1935, the first official broadcast happened. An actress named Béatrice Bretty was the first person to speak on French TV. The broadcast was live and could be seen up to 100 kilometers away.
Over time, the picture quality improved a lot. It went from 30 lines to 60 lines, then 180 lines, and finally 455 lines. This made the images much clearer. However, early TV sets were very expensive. Only a few people could afford them.
TV During World War II
When World War II started in 1939, TV broadcasts in France stopped. The equipment was even damaged so that the German army could not use it.
Later, during the German occupation, the TV station in Paris was fixed. It was called Fernsehsender Paris. It started broadcasting again in May 1943. The shows were for German soldiers in hospitals and German people living in Paris. They showed variety shows and theater.
Just before Paris was freed in August 1944, the station stopped broadcasting. The Germans were ordered to destroy the equipment, but they did not. This meant that French TV could start again very quickly after the war.
On October 1, 1944, TV broadcasts in France began again. The channel was first called Télévision française. Later, it became RDF Télévision française. In 1948, a new, very clear picture standard of 819 lines was chosen. This was used for many years.
RTF and ORTF Eras
In 1949, the TV service was renamed Radiodiffusion-télévision française (RTF). This was when TV really started to grow in France. RTF was the first channel in the world to show footage of a Pope, Pope Pius XII, in 1949. The first TV news program also aired in 1949.
In 1964, a second TV channel was created. The first channel was then called Première chaîne de la RTF. Later, it became Première chaîne de l'ORTF. This was also when TV channels started showing commercials.
TF1 Becomes a Channel
On January 1, 1975, the ORTF was split into seven different organizations. This is when TF1 was officially created. Its full name was Télévision française 1. TF1 got a new colorful logo and special animated introductions for its shows.
In 1975, TF1 started showing some programs in color. By 1977, all of TF1's programs were in color.
TF1 Becomes Private
From 1984 to 1986, new private TV channels started in France. In 1986, the French government decided to sell one of its public channels to a private company. TF1 was chosen for this.
In April 1987, a large construction company called Bouygues bought TF1. This made TF1 a private TV channel.
TF1 got its current logo in 1990. In 1994, it launched a news channel called La Chaîne Info (LCI).
Recently, in 2021, there was a plan for TF1 Group to merge with another big media company, Groupe M6. However, this merger was called off in September 2022.
Since October 2022, TF1 and other channels from the TF1 Group can be watched for free by satellite in most of Europe.
TF1 Logos Over Time
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RDF Télévision Française post-war logo from 1945 to 1949.
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RTF's logo from 1949 to 1959.
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Alternate logo.
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RTF logo from 1959 to 1964.
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Logo as ORTF from 1964 to 1975.
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Less used variation from 1972 to 1975.
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Logo from 1975 to 1985.
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Striped logo from 1985 to 1987.
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Logo from 1987 to 1990.
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Wordmark used as a transitional logo from 1989 to 1990.
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TF1's thirteenth logo from 1990 to 2006.
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TF1's fourteenth and previous logo from 2006 to 2013.
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TF1's current logo from 2013 to present.
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Popular Shows on TF1
TF1 broadcasts many different types of shows.
General Programs
- Le 13H and Le 20H (main news programs)
- Bonjour ! La Matinale TF1 (morning show)
- Qui veut gagner des millions? (game show)
- Ninja Warrior (competition show)
- The Voice (singing competition)
- Koh-Lanta (adventure reality show)
- Star Academy (music reality show)
- Demain Nous Appartient and Ici Tout Commence (daily dramas)
- Section de Recherches (crime series)
- Mask Singer (singing competition)
- Danse avec les stars (dancing competition, like Strictly Come Dancing)
- Vendredi tout est permis (VTEP) (comedy show)
Kids' TV Shows
TF1 also shows many cartoons and series for children:
- Abby Hatcher
- Barney & Friends
- The Big Comfy Couch (Le Monde de Loonette)
- Gazoon
- Kikoumba: Crown Down
- Marcus Level
- Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir
- Paw Patrol (Paw Patrol, La pat'patrouille)
- Rubble & Crew
- Super Wings
- The Smurfs (Les Schtroumpfs)
- The Toy Castle (Le Château magique)
Sports on TF1
TF1 is a major channel for sports in France. It broadcasts many important events.
Football (Soccer)
- FIFA World Cup: Selected matches, including all France team matches if they qualify.
- FIFA Women's World Cup: Selected matches.
- UEFA European Championship: Selected matches, including some France team matches.
- UEFA Nations League: Some France team matches.
- UEFA Champions League: The final match.
Rugby
- Rugby World Cup: Shared with other channels.
Handball
- IHF World Men's Handball Championship and IHF World Women's Handball Championship: France matches if they qualify.
- European Men's Handball Championship and European Women's Handball Championship: France matches if they qualify.
Other Sports
- National Football League (Super Bowl): The final game.
- Formula One: A few races, including the French Grand Prix and Monaco Grand Prix.
- Ice Hockey World Championships: Some matches.
More to Explore
- List of television stations in France
- TF1 Tower
See also
In Spanish: TF1 para niños
