TF1 mulling SVOD launch as competition heats up

French commercial broadcaster TF1’s chief executive Nonce Paolini is interested in launching a subscription video-on-demand service.

Speaking at an event yesterday, Paolini said that an SVOD service was one of the projects TF1 was considering in the short and medium term. According to French newspaper Les Echos, Paolini also said the possible revival of discussions last year to form a partnership with rival broadcaster M6 for an SVOD service was “an interesting idea”.

Amazon, owner of UK-based Lovefilm, is widely expected to launch an SVOD service in France this March, while AB Group is planning to launch a service for €6.99 next month. Take-up of existing subscription offerings has been limited, however, with France’s system of restricting the window under which films can be offered to 36 months after their theatrical release seen as a major hurdle.