TF1 facts for kids
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| Type |
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|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Broadcast area |
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| Headquarters | TF1 Tower, Quai du Point-du-Jour, Boulogne-Billancourt, France |
| 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 | Jean Cazeneuve (TF1) |
| Former names |
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| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| TNT | Channel 1 (HD) |
TF1 (which stands for Télévision Française 1) is a major French TV channel. It is a commercial network owned by the TF1 Group, which is part of the Bouygues company. TF1 is very popular in France, with about 24% of people watching it. This makes it the most-watched TV channel in the country.
TF1 is part of a larger group of media companies. This group also includes a news channel called LCI. TF1 supports a project called Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HBBTV). This project aims to create a common standard for TV boxes in Europe. These boxes would let you watch regular TV and online videos using one easy system.
Exploring TF1's History
TF1 has a long and interesting history. For 28 years, it was the only TV channel in France! It has changed its name many times since it first started. This makes it one of the oldest TV stations still around today.
How French TV Began (1935–1937)
The first public showing of a mechanical television in France happened in 1931. This early TV used a system with 30 lines, which was a big step forward. In 1935, a French minister named Georges Mandel saw a live TV broadcast in London. He was very impressed and decided France needed its own regular TV service.
So, on April 26, 1935, the first official French TV broadcast took place. It was called Radiovision-PTT. The broadcast used a 60-line system and featured an actress named Béatrice Bretty. She spoke the first words ever broadcast on French television. This channel was on air a few days a week for short periods.
Later, in December 1935, the quality improved to 180 lines. This was a big jump in picture clarity. However, early TV sets were very expensive, so only a few people could afford them.
Before World War II (1937–1939)
In July 1937, Radiovision-PTT changed its name to Radiodiffusion nationale Télévision (RN Télévision). They started using a new electronic TV system with 455 lines. This made the picture quality much better than the old mechanical system.
When World War II started in September 1939, TV broadcasts in France stopped. The military ordered the Eiffel Tower transmitter to be shut down. There were only about 300 TV sets in France at the time, so most people didn't even notice.
TV During Occupation (1943–1944)
During the German occupation of France, the Germans decided to restart the TV station. They wanted to entertain German soldiers in hospitals in Paris. The station was called Fernsehsender Paris. It started broadcasting in May 1943, showing variety shows and theater. It broadcast in both German and French.
Just before Paris was freed in August 1944, the station stopped broadcasting. The Germans were ordered to destroy the Eiffel Tower transmitter, but they didn't. This meant that French TV could start up again very quickly after the war.
After the War (1944–1964)
French TV broadcasts started again on October 1, 1944, as Télévision française. In 1945, it was renamed RDF Télévision française. A big change happened in 1948 when France decided to use a very high-quality 819-line system for its TV.
In 1949, the channel became RTF Télévision. This is when TV really started to grow in France. The first news program aired in May 1949. Soon, people outside Paris could watch RTF TV too, as regional stations joined the network.
Becoming ORTF's First Channel (1964–1975)
In 1963, a second TV channel was created in France. So, the first channel was renamed Première chaîne de la RTF. In 1964, it became Première chaîne de l'ORTF. During this time, in 1968, commercial advertising was first introduced on the channel. This meant that companies could pay to show their ads on TV.
TF1's Modern Era (Since 1975)
On January 1, 1975, the channel officially became TF1. This name came from a law that reorganized French public broadcasting. TF1 introduced a new colorful logo and special animated intros for its programs.
Color television slowly came to TF1 starting in 1975 and was fully in color by 1977. Before 1987, TF1 was a public channel, meaning it was owned by the government.
TF1 Becomes Private
From 1984 to 1986, new TV channels launched in France. In 1986, the French government decided to sell one of its public channels to a private company. TF1 was chosen for this change in May 1986. This meant TF1 would now compete with other channels.
TF1's current logo was introduced on February 2, 1990. For a while, TF1 was even broadcast in Italy. In 2005, TF1 launched TF1Vision, a service where you could watch videos on demand.
In recent years, there were talks about TF1 Group merging with another big TV company, Groupe M6. However, in September 2022, this merger was called off. Since October 2022, TF1 can be watched for free across most of Europe via satellite.
TF1 Logo History
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TF1's logo from 1990 to 2006.
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TF1's logo from 2006 to 2013.
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TF1's current logo from 2013 to present.
Popular Shows on TF1
TF1 broadcasts a wide variety of shows for everyone.
General Programs
- Le Journal (The News) at 1:00 PM and 8:00 PM – This is one of the most-watched TV news programs in Europe.
- Bonjour ! La Matinale TF1 (Good Morning! The TF1 Morning Show)
- Qui veut gagner des millions? (Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?)
- Ninja Warrior
- The Voice
- Koh-Lanta (a survival reality show, like Survivor)
- Star Academy (a music reality show)
- Demain Nous Appartient (Tomorrow is Ours) and Ici Tout Commence (It All Starts Here) – popular daily dramas.
- Section de Recherches (Research Section) – a crime drama.
- Mask Singer
- Danse avec les stars (Dancing with the Stars)
- Vendredi tout est permis (Anything Goes on Friday)
Children's TV Shows
- Abby Hatcher
- 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'trouille)
- Super Wings
- The Smurfs (Les Schtroumpfs)
- The Toy Castle (Le Château magique)
- Totally Spies!
Sports on TF1
TF1 also shows many exciting sports events.
Major Sporting 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.
- UEFA Champions League: The final match.
Rugby
Handball
- Men's and Women's World Championships: France matches if they qualify.
- Men's and Women's European Championships: France matches if they qualify.
American Football
- Super Bowl: The championship game of the National Football League.
Motorsport
- Formula One: Selected races, including the French Grand Prix.
Ice Hockey
See also
In Spanish: TF1 para niños
- List of television stations in France
- TF1 Tower
