While traditional linear TV viewing is being rapidly eclipsed by streaming on smart TVs, the French media landscape in 2023 reveals a complex and resilient industry where broadcast giants, booming digital platforms, and enduring public service channels all command multi-billion euro audiences.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, French television advertising revenue totaled €3.1 billion, marking a 4.5% increase from 2022 driven by connected TV growth.
- TF1 Group reported 18.2 million daily viewers across its channels in 2022, with TMC achieving a 12.4% audience share among key demographics.
- France Télévisions' public service channels reached 28% of the French population daily in 2023, with France 2 leading at 15.8% share.
- French radio advertising market was valued at €800 million in 2023, with 92% FM/AM reach.
- Radio France public stations had 40 million weekly listeners in 2023, France Inter leading at 12% share.
- 85% of French drivers listen to radio daily, averaging 2h20m per session in 2023.
- French newspaper circulation totaled 14.5 million copies daily in 2023, down 5% YoY.
- Le Monde daily sales averaged 480,000 copies in 2023, 40% digital subscribers.
- Press advertising revenue in France was €1.1 billion in 2023, 55% digital shift.
- French online video market revenue reached €1.8 billion in 2023, 60% from AVOD.
- 92% internet penetration in France 2023, 85% mobile broadband.
- Netflix had 10.5 million French subscribers in Q4 2023.
- CNC reported 192 million cinema admissions in France 2023, recovering to 82% pre-pandemic.
- French film production budget €1.45 billion in 2023, 250 feature films.
- Pathé Gaumont circuit had 1,200 screens, 35% market share 2023.
French television advertising grew while streaming consumption and online video revenues surged.
Cinema
- CNC reported 192 million cinema admissions in France 2023, recovering to 82% pre-pandemic.
- French film production budget €1.45 billion in 2023, 250 feature films.
- Pathé Gaumont circuit had 1,200 screens, 35% market share 2023.
- Average ticket price €7.45 in France 2023.
- Domestic films share 45% of box office revenue 2023.
- Cannes Film Festival attendance 35,000 professionals 2023.
- Animated films generated €250 million box office 2023.
- Cinema subsidies from CNC €700 million in 2023.
- IMAX screens: 50 in France, 5% premium ticket share 2023.
- Film export revenue €450 million for French cinema 2023.
- Multiplex cinemas 85% of venues, averaging 10 screens each 2023.
- Women directors: 28% of French features in 2023.
- Arthouse cinemas 1,800 screens, 20% admissions 2023.
- 3D films 15% box office share in France 2023.
- César Awards viewership 2.1 million on TV 2023.
- VOD rentals 250 million transactions in France 2023.
- Heritage films restored: 120 titles funded by CNC 2023.
- Cinema employment 120,000 jobs direct/indirect 2023.
- Top film "Avatar 2" 6.2 million admissions France 2023.
Cinema Interpretation
While not yet back to its pre-pandemic pomp, the French cinema industry, buoyed by generous state support, a strong domestic market share, and a vibrant festival scene, proves it's still very much in the director's chair of its own story, albeit with a ticket price and a gender gap that could both use a rewrite.
Digital Media
- French online video market revenue reached €1.8 billion in 2023, 60% from AVOD.
- 92% internet penetration in France 2023, 85% mobile broadband.
- Netflix had 10.5 million French subscribers in Q4 2023.
- Social media users in France: 52 million monthly in 2023, Facebook 38M.
- Online news consumption: 75% of French adults daily in 2023.
- Disney+ reached 7.2 million subs in France by end 2023.
- Ad spend on digital media €6.5 billion in 2023, 55% total ad market.
- YouTube monthly users 48 million in France 2023.
- TikTok users 24 million monthly active in France 2023.
- Amazon Prime Video 5.8 million French households 2023.
- Online gaming revenue €5.2 billion in France 2023, esports 15%.
- 40% of digital ad spend on social media in France 2023.
- French podcast market 150 million downloads monthly 2023.
- E-commerce media spend €2.1 billion performance ads 2023.
- Instagram users 28 million in France 2023.
- Programmatic video ads grew 25% to €450 million 2023.
- French online press revenue €850 million 2023, subs 15M.
- Snapchat daily users 20 million in France 2023.
Digital Media Interpretation
The French have become master multi-taskers, clinging to their mobile broadband while dividing their attention between Netflix dramas, TikTok clips, and online news, all the while funding this digital circus through a flood of ads they're served between scrolls.
Print Media
- French newspaper circulation totaled 14.5 million copies daily in 2023, down 5% YoY.
- Le Monde daily sales averaged 480,000 copies in 2023, 40% digital subscribers.
- Press advertising revenue in France was €1.1 billion in 2023, 55% digital shift.
- Magazine market revenue €2.3 billion in 2022, women's weeklies 25% share.
- 62% of French read print press weekly in 2023, vs 78% digital news.
- Ouest-France printed 1.2 million copies daily in 2023, largest regional daily.
- Comic book (bandes dessinées) sales hit 37 million units in France 2022.
- Newsprint consumption fell to 1.8 million tons in France 2023.
- L'Équipe sports daily sold 250,000 copies daily in 2023.
- Regional dailies accounted for 65% of total print circulation in 2023.
- Paris Match magazine had 1.5 million readers per issue in 2023.
- Subsidies to French press totaled €1.2 billion in 2023, aiding 500 titles.
- Free newspapers like 20 Minutes reached 5 million daily readers in urban areas 2023.
- Book publishing revenue €3.5 billion in 2022, 25% educational.
- Weekly magazines circulation 12 million in France 2023.
- Le Figaro conservative daily had 330,000 subscribers in 2023.
Print Media Interpretation
The French press is navigating a digital revolution with wit, subsidies, and a stubbornly popular comic book hero, proving that while print may be learning to share the spotlight, its audience is still very much in the room—just now reading on a screen.
Radio
- French radio advertising market was valued at €800 million in 2023, with 92% FM/AM reach.
- Radio France public stations had 40 million weekly listeners in 2023, France Inter leading at 12% share.
- 85% of French drivers listen to radio daily, averaging 2h20m per session in 2023.
- Podcast consumption via radio apps reached 18 million monthly users in France 2023.
- NRJ Group operated 280 frequencies nationwide, revenue €420 million in 2022.
- Music represented 65% of French radio airtime in 2023, news 15%.
- Digital radio (DAB+) adoption hit 15% household penetration in urban France 2023.
- Skyrock radio's urban audience share was 7.2% among 15-24s in 2023.
- Public radio funding totaled €650 million in 2023 for Radio France group.
- 42% of radio listening was via smartphone apps in 2023 among under-35s.
- RTL France had 6.5 million daily listeners in 2023, topping commercial radio.
Radio Interpretation
In a world glued to screens, France proves radio's defiant heartbeat still thrums powerfully—capturing €800 million in ads, commanding 85% of drivers' commutes, and cleverly morphing into podcasts for 18 million phone-tapping listeners, all while public and private giants fiercely duel over the airwaves and our earbuds.
Television
- In 2023, French television advertising revenue totaled €3.1 billion, marking a 4.5% increase from 2022 driven by connected TV growth.
- TF1 Group reported 18.2 million daily viewers across its channels in 2022, with TMC achieving a 12.4% audience share among key demographics.
- France Télévisions' public service channels reached 28% of the French population daily in 2023, with France 2 leading at 15.8% share.
- In 2022, pay-TV subscriptions in France numbered 25.6 million, up 2% YoY, primarily via Canal+ and Orange.
- Streaming on smart TVs accounted for 42% of French TV consumption in 2023, surpassing traditional linear TV at 38%.
- Canal+ held 52% market share in premium pay-TV in France in 2023, with 8.7 million subscribers.
- French TV production spending reached €2.8 billion in 2022, with 85% domestic content quota met.
- News programs on French TV averaged 25% audience share in prime time during 2023 elections.
- 68% of French households had 4K TVs by end of 2023, boosting UHD content demand.
- M6 Group's revenue from TV was €1.45 billion in 2022, with 14% from digital extensions.
- Public TV funding via license fee equivalent was €3.7 billion in 2023, covering France Télévisions and Radio France.
- Sports rights for TV in France cost €1.2 billion annually in 2023, led by Ligue 1 football.
- Children under 15 watched 1h45m of TV daily on average in France in 2022.
- OTT platforms captured 22% of TV video time in France in Q4 2023.
- France 3 regional channels broadcast 12,000 hours of local content yearly.
- TV ad spend per viewer in France was €112 in 2023, down 3% from peak.
- 75% of French viewers used catch-up TV services weekly in 2023.
- Arte channel's co-productions budget was €250 million in 2023, 60% European.
- Linear TV viewership among 15-24 year-olds fell to 28% in 2023 from 35% in 2020.
- Salto SVOD service peaked at 2.5 million subs before closure in 2024.
Television Interpretation
The French TV industry is a resilient yet rapidly evolving beast, where legacy broadcasters like TF1 and France Télévisions still command massive traditional audiences and ad revenue, but the undeniable plot twist is that streaming on smart TVs has officially become the main character, even as national pride keeps domestic production thriving and Canal+ stubbornly holds the crown in premium pay-TV.
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