France Channel


France Channel is an online digital video subscription service, founded by Julien Verley, operating in the United States but headquartered in France.

History

Background

Rise of streaming and success of BritBox

Due to the rising popularity of Subscription Video on Demand services, commonly known as streaming services, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, around the world, especially among younger demographics, traditional TV has had to adapt in a changing market to appeal to younger generations in fear of being left in the dust by the SVOD services. In response to this, various European public service broadcasters, have had to put many old rivalries aside in favor of collaborations in an attempt to compete against SVODs with their streaming services being launched often in their on countries. Most notable services are Joyn launched for the domestic market in Germany, Salto launched for the domestic market in France, and BritBox launched for both the domestic market in the United Kingdom and in various international markets starting with the United States, but later expanding to Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the Nordic countries. In 2020, it was announced that BritBox alone reached over 1 million subscribers in North America.

Launch of France Channel

Initial launch

After the success of BritBox internationally, especially in the United States, Julien Verley founded France Channels, SAS with the intent of launching a "French version of BritBox" aimed at international markets, but with French media content being on the platform with English and French subtitles and with some content also being dubbed in English. This is an effort to promote French culture and media abroad, similar to how BritBox does the same with British media and culture. The company also struck a deal with NetGem to provide the technology for its distribution platform. Originally slated for Spring 2021, but later pushed back to August 2021, the service launched in the United States with content partnerships with Canal+ Group, France Télévisions, TF1 Group, France Médias Monde, M6 Group, and Arte France. Under the partnership with France Médias Monde, subscribers are able to watch livestreams of both the English and the French versions of France 24. In October 2025, the Spanish version of France 24 had a soft launch onto the France Channel platform, with the official launch/announcement occurring on 17 November 2025.

Availability

In June 2023, the France Channel launched as a Subscription channel on Amazon Prime Video. France Channel is also available as a Subscription channel on The Roku Channel.

Content and programming

Various French TV shows, movies, documentaries, and live TV networks appear on France Channel.

Live TV networks

Movies and documentaries

A Year in My Life

TV shows and docu-series