LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 07: Greg Peters of Netflix, on ContentMakers Stage during day two of Web Summit 2018 at the Altice Arena on November 7, 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal. In 2018, more than 70,000 attendees from over 170 countries will fly to Lisbon for Web Summit, including over 1,500 startups, 1,200 speakers and 2,600 international journalists. (Photo by Stephen McCarthy /Web Summit via Getty Images)
Netflix may entice its subscribers to chill, but the global streamer is working on new offerings and deals to future-proof its content lineup and business. In line with that, it made notable headlines on Wednesday, unveiling a carriage deal with French broadcaster TF1 at Cannes Lions that will see Netflix offering live broadcasts and on-demand content from the partner starting in the summer of 2026.
“This is a first-of-its-kind partnership that plays to our strengths of giving audiences the best entertainment alongside the best discovery experience,” said Greg Peters, co-CEO of Netflix. “By teaming up with France’s leading broadcaster, we will provide French consumers with even more reasons to come to Netflix every day and to stay with us for all their entertainment.”
Strategic Moves and Industry Impact
The announcement comes as the streaming giant continues to explore innovative ways to expand its reach and content offerings. The TF1 deal is seen as a potential game-changer in the industry, sparking discussions among analysts about the future of similar agreements.
Some industry experts noted that TF1 CEO Rodolphe Belmer, who served on Netflix’s board of directors from 2018 to 2022, might have played a crucial role in facilitating this partnership. Last year, Netflix collaborated with France’s Newen Studios and TF1 to co-produce Tout Pour La Lumière (All for Light), a family series set in the world of music and dance, which premiered on Netflix before its free-to-air debut on TF1.
Expert Opinions on the Deal
Enders Analysis analyst François Godard described the deal as “very innovative,” emphasizing its uniqueness. “It pivots Netflix into aggregation,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. This move could potentially set a precedent for Netflix’s operations in other markets.
PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore echoed these sentiments, stating that the TF1 deal “makes perfect sense given its direction of travel.” He explained, “It is pivoting towards a platform for entertainment, and it was only a question of time before we saw typically big hits being streamed on the platform.”
Broader Implications for the Industry
This development follows a growing trend where traditional broadcasters are increasingly collaborating with streaming platforms to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving media landscape. For broadcasters, partnerships with Netflix offer a lifeline amidst declining traditional viewership.
Pescatore noted, “Everyone wants to work and distribute with Netflix. It is the undisputed market leader and paved the way for others.” He added that while rivals are still grappling with the transition to streaming, Netflix remains ahead of the curve. “Free-to-air broadcasters have got no choice but to either collaborate with each other as a final resort or partner with a streamer.”
The Future of Carriage Deals
Analysts like Michael Pachter from Wedbush Securities foresee more carriage deals in the future, with Netflix aiming to become the primary platform for viewers. “They are trying to be a platform and be the starting point for any viewing,” Pachter commented.
“For free-to-air broadcasters, it gives them a new lease on life, for Netflix, a broad range of programming, and users [get] reduced fragmentation by having more in one place,”
Pescatore elaborated, highlighting the mutual benefits of such partnerships.
Looking Ahead
The move represents Netflix’s strategic shift towards becoming an all-encompassing entertainment platform, blurring the lines between traditional broadcasting and streaming. As Netflix continues to innovate and expand its content offerings, the industry will be watching closely to see if similar deals emerge in other markets.
As the media landscape evolves, the Netflix-TF1 partnership could serve as a blueprint for future collaborations, potentially reshaping how content is delivered and consumed globally.
