In a surprising but strategic move, Netflix is bringing live broadcast TV to its platform. Starting summer 2025, the streaming giant will make available five linear broadcast channels from France’s leading commercial broadcaster, TF1 Group.

This move marks a significant change of course for the company — one that’s been trying to dismantle TV as we know it is now taking elements from its playbook.

Per the Financial Times, under the partnership, Netflix will offer its subscribers in France a TV-like experience, albeit within a modern streaming platform. That means not only will Netflix users have access to live channels, but they will also be able to access over 30,000 hours of on-demand TF1 content by summer 2026.

That content will include hit reality shows like The Voice, scripted series, and live sports — adding to Netflix’s selection of content and broadening its appeal in France.

Netflix and TF1 have previously partnered on the French historical series Les Combattantes (Women at War). But the new agreement goes beyond co-productions. It is a much deeper integration of live TV within the interface of the streaming service — a move that few other streaming services have taken.

No financial terms were disclosed, but the scale of the partnership is a strong indication of a long-term commitment.

Co-CEO Greg Peters described the deal as a way to drive more daily engagement, a critical metric now that the company doesn’t report subscriber numbers. “By teaming up with France’s top broadcaster,” he said, “we will offer French consumers more reasons to come to Netflix every day and stay with us for all their entertainment.”

For TF1, the deal is a game-changer in terms of reach and advertising. Its live channels will still feature ads, giving TF1 a greater reach and stronger appeal to advertisers.

CEO Rodolphe Belmer called the alliance a “rare opportunity” and a “key element” of the company’s digital strategy. “As viewing habits are moving toward on-demand consumption and as the audience fragmentation is growing, this unique alliance will allow our premium content to reach unparalleled audiences.”

He went on to say that linear TV was in “secular decline,” but partnerships like this one would enable TF1 to remain relevant by “benefiting from the incredible power of Netflix.”

For Netflix, this deal helps it meet its obligations under French law. Streaming services are required to reinvest between 20 and 25 percent of the revenues generated in France in local content. Working with TF1 allows Netflix to satisfy that requirement while bolstering its library with well-known, familiar content.

There’s also a big growth opportunity here in terms of viewership. TF1’s broadcast channels have 58 million monthly viewers, and its streaming platform TF1+ has 35 million users. By comparison, Netflix only has a little over 10 million subscribers in France, per co-CEO Ted Sarandos in 2022.

it could potentially bring TF1’s viewers to Netflix — and vice versa — establishing a virtuous circle of engagement and visibility.

Peters also said the company will monitor how the TF1 deal goes before it seeks similar agreements in other markets. If successful, the deal could expand to other European countries and the U.S.

But the shift comes as consumer behavior changes. According to Nielsen, streaming hit 44.8% of total TV viewership in May, surpassing both cable (24.1%) and broadcast (20.1%) for the first time since tracking began in 2021.

Some linear channels are already available on platforms like YouTube TV, but Netflix’s integration of live broadcast channels signals a much broader change. Streaming services are no longer disrupting television — they’re taking it.

With the TF1 deal, Netflix could be making itself the one-stop shop for all types of entertainment — from bingeable series to live sports and live TV.

For many French viewers, Netflix is already television. Now, it’s going to be even more so.