French broadcaster TF1 has released its Q1 2025 earnings, marking the first full year of operation for its TF1+ streaming service. The company posted growth in viewers and revenues for the revamped BVOD service, which was launched in January 2024. While the commercial broadcaster’s total ad revenues were flat compared with the same quarter in 2024, TF1+ revenues climbed 37 percent YoY, meaning digital sales made up more than 10 percent of total ad revenues for the first time.
Total consolidated revenues at TF1 also rose 1.6 percent YoY, suggesting the strategy of bolstering the streaming business, as well as non-advertising revenues (+9.6 percent), to offset losses in linear TV is starting to pay off – though a marginal fall in overall ad revenues indicates that higher digital sales are still required to counter the declines. And efforts have been strong in that regard, with the broadcaster’s sales house, TF1 PUB, regularly launching new digital formats, channel placements and retail media partnerships.
Competing with YouTube
In December the company discussed with VideoWeek its plans to make TF1+ a “full-funnel marketing platform”, adding data partners, geotargeting capabilities and shoppable ads to attract smaller advertisers who would usually spend with YouTube or Meta. And in the latest earnings update, TF1 said it aims to make the streaming service “the premium alternative to YouTube for both viewers and advertisers.” To acheive this the group will continue to invest in data capabilities and new ad formats to drive monetisation on the streaming service, with full-funnel capabilities designed “to support brands across their entire digital strategies.”
The group is also targeting double-digit growth in digital revenues for the full year, and wants to make TF1+ “the leading free streaming platform in France and in French-speaking markets.” The streaming service was off to a strong start in 2025, attracting 35 million streamers per month on average during Q1, a 6 percent increase on the monthly average in 2024. And streaming consumption rose by 12 percent YoY, with 272 million hours of content viewed on TF1+ during the quarter, according to Médiamétrie.
Beyond advertising
Meanwhile the company is looking to diversify its revenues to ease its reliance on the volatile ad market, with non-advertising media revenues up by almost 10 percent in Q1, driven by TF1’s music and live shows unit.
And the group is repositioning its studios business to strengthen its presence “on the international stage by leveraging the TF1 brand’s appeal.” In January the group rebranded its Newen Studios division as Studio TF1, with a renewed focus on exporting content to broadcasters and streaming services in other markets.
Studio revenues were flat in Q1, citing “less significant deliveries than in 2024”, but the company noted its production of the Flemish version of Dancing with the Stars, and the Netflix documentary series De rockstar à tueur: le cas Cantat (From Rock Star to Killer). And the bulk of Studio TF1’s sales are expected to come in the second half of the year, according to the broadcaster, noting that “the year is likely to be back-loaded, as it was in 2024.”
TF1 is also looking towards a summer of sport to drive audiences, broadcasting the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 and the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 later this year, while maintaining “a significant lead” over its rivals in its news viewership.
“At a time when video consumption habits are changing rapidly, the Group’s ambition is to establish itself as the primary premium destination on TV screens for family entertainment and quality news in French,” said the broadcaster.
Follow VideoWeek on LinkedIn.
