The number of channels has multiplied since the 1980s, offering content that is as broad as it is diverse. However, the historical channels remain the ones that attract the most viewers; TF1 is the leading French television channel ahead of France 2 and France 3, and far ahead of the other more specialized channels in terms of audience.
At a time when smartphones and social networks are taking up more and more space in our daily lives, it is interesting to note that the number of households with a television set has remained stable since 2008. While 73 percent of French people claim to watch television every day, French viewers usually spend 219 minutes a day in front of their TV set.
While viewing time remains stable, the platform used to watch television varies as more and more viewers watch television online. Consumption is becoming more nomadic and no longer confined to the family living room or the television set. Less than a third of online television is consumed through a television set, while mobile phones remain the most-used device to watch online TV.
The phenomenon of catch-up television has revolutionized the television industry and the way the public views entertainment. It is now possible to watch one's favorite programs after their official broadcast, offering great flexibility. The French have been quick to adopt this new way of consuming, so much so that almost 70 percent have reported watching a catch-up TV program in the last 12 months, mostly on their television set. Similarly, about 40 percent of viewers watches a replay television program at least once a week.
Another major upheaval has been the widespread use of video-on-demand (VoD) platforms. Thanks to their extensive catalogue and low price, VoD platforms such as Netflix have succeeded in propelling this model and making it essential for many consumers. Today, the offer of similar services has multiplied in order to meet user demand and these platforms have succeeded in establishing themselves as a more modern alternative.
