TV in France: How to Watch Television as an Expat
In France, TV is included in almost all standard internet plans: subscribe to a fibre package and you automatically get a TV decoder with 100 to 300+ channels at no extra cost. Free digital TV (TNT) is also available on 25+ channels with a basic €20–40 decoder and no subscription. For expats wanting English or UK content, dedicated channel packs and satellite options are available on top of that.
💬 What you need to know about TV in France
- No TV licence fee: France abolished it in August 2022
- 25+ free channels via TNT (digital terrestrial), no subscription needed
- Most fibre internet plans include a TV decoder and 100–300+ channels as standard
- English channel packs available from Orange (~€5/month) and SFR (~€5.99/month)
- BBC, ITV and other UK channels accessible via satellite dish or dedicated expat TV services
Get TV in France with the right internet box
Our English-speaking advisors compare Orange, SFR, Free and Bouygues — and handle your subscription for you. No French forms, no hold music.
Get TV in France with the right internet box
Our English-speaking advisors compare Orange, SFR, Free and Bouygues. No French forms, no hold music.
How does TV work in France?
Television in France is built around three main options: free digital terrestrial TV (TNT), internet box bundles (the most common choice), and streaming platforms. Most expats settling in France opt for a triple-play internet plan: it covers all everyday needs in one subscription.
| Option | Cost | Channels | English content | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNT (free-to-air) | Free + €20–40 decoder | 25+ French channels | Arte only (partially) | Short stays, minimal setup |
| Internet box (triple play) | €25–55/month | 100–300+ channels + replay | English packs available (Orange, SFR) | Most households ⭐️ Recommended |
| Streaming (Netflix, Molotov…) | Free (Molotov basic) or €8–18/month | On-demand + live French TV (Molotov) | Available in English (Netflix, Disney+) | Cord-cutters, flexible viewing |
| Satellite dish | Installation cost + optional subscription | French TNT + UK free-to-air | BBC, ITV and others (free-to-air) | UK expats in houses, rural areas |
Information verified as of april of 2026. Source: operator websites and ARCEP. Prices are indicative and may vary by plan and promotional period.
TNT: free digital TV in France
TNT (Télévision Numérique Terrestre) is France's digital terrestrial network. It gives you access to over 25 free French channels (TF1, France 2, France 3, M6, Arte, BFM TV, and others) with no subscription. You just need a compatible TV (most sets sold since 2012 have a built-in tuner) or an external TNT decoder, available at any electronics retailer for €20–40.
TNT is a practical option for short stays or as a backup while you set up a full internet subscription. For longer stays, most households prefer an internet box for the much wider channel selection and replay TV.
💡 Good to know: no TV licence in France since 2022
France abolished its television licence (redevance audiovisuelle) in August 2022. You no longer pay any annual fee for owning a television set, regardless of your provider or how you receive channels.
Internet box: the most complete option for TV in France
The vast majority of French broadband subscriptions are "triple play" packages: internet, landline, and TV bundled together. When you sign up for a standard fibre plan, a TV decoder is included at no extra cost, giving you instant access to 100 to 300+ channels depending on your provider.
All four major French operators (Orange, SFR, Free, Bouygues Telecom) include TV in their main fibre plans. Depending on the offer, premium plans also give access to streaming discounts or bundled subscriptions see the full comparison below). Optional paid packs are available for English-language channels, sports, or cinema.
For on-demand content, the main platforms available in France include Netflix, Disney+ and Molotov TV, the latter being a free app that streams all TNT channels live with catch-up, on any device, no decoder needed.
French TV channels: what's available on TNT and internet boxes
France has a rich mix of public and private channels. The 25+ TNT channels cover news, entertainment, culture, sport and children's programming, all free to air. Subscribing to an internet box significantly expands your options, adding regional, international and thematic channels, plus replay and catch-up services for every major network.
Some highlights worth knowing about:
- TF1: France's most-watched commercial channel, with news, dramas and reality TV
- France Télévisions (France 2, 3, 4, 5): public broadcaster, strong on news and culture
- M6: popular entertainment, reality shows and American series (dubbed)
- Arte: Franco-German cultural channel; one of the few to offer bilingual (French/German/English) content
- BFM TV: rolling 24/7 French news
- Canal+: premium paid channel (cinema, sports, series); available as an add-on via most internet boxes
All major French channels have free catch-up apps (TF1+, France TV, M6+, Arte, BFM TV) available on iOS, Android and smart TVs. Most require a French internet connection for live streaming. Molotov TV is a free alternative that aggregates all TNT channels and their catch-up content in one place, on any device.
Watching English and UK TV in France
English channels via your internet box
Most standard internet boxes already include a handful of English-language channels (BBC World News, CNN, Sky News, Euronews) at no extra cost. For a broader selection (entertainment, series and lifestyle channels) Orange and SFR offer dedicated English bouquets as paid add-ons:
- Orange English Pack: around €5/month, includes BBC Entertainment, Sky News and others
- SFR Bouquet Anglais: around €5.99/month, adds 8 English-language channels including Boomerang, TCM Cinema and Fashion Box
Watching UK TV (BBC, ITV, Channel 4) in France
Free-to-air UK channels like BBC One, ITV and Channel 4 are available via satellite in many parts of France, using a dish pointed at Astra 28.2°E. This is the most reliable solution for UK expats who want live UK TV without a subscription. UK streaming platforms (BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4) are geo-restricted outside the UK, but can be accessed via a VPN or through expat-specific UK TV box services.
💬 Our take on UK TV in France
For casual English viewing, the English pack from Orange or SFR is the simplest option. For regular BBC and ITV access, a satellite dish is the most reliable long-term solution. Streaming via VPN works but requires a stable connection and the right provider.
Sports and premium TV packages in France
Live sport in France is split across several paid channels, and no single subscription covers everything. The main ones to know:
- Canal+: Ligue 1, Champions League, Top 14 rugby, MotoGP and more. Available as an add-on via most internet boxes from around €20–25/month.
- beIN Sports: Ligue 1 (shared rights), La Liga, Serie A, international football. Available via SFR or as a standalone subscription from €15/month.
- RMC Sport: Premier League, UFC, NBA. Often bundled with SFR plans.
- Eurosport: cycling (Tour de France), tennis Grand Slams, winter sports. Available via most internet boxes.
Full details on pricing, rights and how to add each pack to your internet box are covered in our sports TV packages guide.
Which internet box gives you the best TV in France?
All four major French operators include TV in their standard fibre plans, but the number of channels, replay depth and available add-ons vary significantly. Here's a quick comparison to help you choose:
| Provider | Base TV channels | English pack available | Streaming | Starting price (with TV) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange | 200 channels | ✅ Yes (€5/month) | Discounts up to -€5/month on Netflix and Disney+ | 29,99€/month |
| SFR | 180 channels | ✅ Yes (€5.99/month) | Discounts up to -€5/month on Netflix and Disney+ | 27,99€/month |
| Free | 300 channels | ⚠️ News only (no English pack) | Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Universal+ included (Freebox Ultra only) | 29,99€/month |
| Bouygues | 180 channels | ⚠️ News only (no English pack) | -€5/month on Canal+ (12-month commitment) | 24,99€/month |
Selection of offers verified as of April 2026. Ranked by English pack availability. Prices shown are promotional rates valid for the first 12 months; standard rates apply thereafter. Source: operator websites. Free listing.
If watching English-language content is a priority, Orange and SFR are the only two operators offering a dedicated English channel bouquet. Orange also provides an English-speaking customer service line, which is a practical advantage when you first arrive in France. Compare all internet providers in France to find the plan that fits your needs.
 Livebox Classic Fibre 12-month commitment |
2
Gbit/s
800 Mbit/s WiFi 7 |
200 channels
TV decoder |
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| View details Hide details | |||||
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Download: up to 2 Gbit/s shared
Upload: up to 800 Mbit/s Compatible with WiFi 7 |
29,99€/month for 12 months then 42,99€/month
Calls to landlines |
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 Freebox Pop Fibre No commitment |
5
Gbit/s
900 Mbit/s WiFi 7 |
300 channels
TV decoder 
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| View details Hide details | |||||
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Download: up to 5 Gbit/s shared
Upload: up to 900 Mbit/s Compatible with WiFi 7 Répéteur WiFi 7 inclus Cafeyn inclus 3 mois |
29,99€/month for 12 months then 39,99€/month
Calls to landlines + mobiles Prime inclus 3 mois HBO Max inclus 3 mois 100h d'enregistrement |
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Livebox Up Fibre 12-month commitment |
8
Gbit/s
8 Gbit/s WiFi 7 |
200 channels
TV decoder |
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| View details Hide details | |||||
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Download: up to 8 Gbit/s
Upload: up to 8 Gbit/s Compatible with WiFi 7 Répéteur WiFi sur demande |
39,99€/month for 12 months then 51,99€/month
Calls to landlines + mobiles 100h d'enregistrement TV |
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Freebox Ultra Essentiel No commitment |
8
Gbit/s
8 Gbit/s WiFi 7 |
340 channels
TV decoder
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| View details Hide details | |||||
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Download: up to 8 Gbit/s
Upload: up to 8 Gbit/s Compatible with WiFi 7 Répéteur WiFi 7 inclus |
39,99€/month for 12 months then 49,99€/month
Calls to landlines + mobiles Prime inclus 3 mois HBO Max inclus 3 mois Free Ciné inclus 320h d'enregistrement |
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| Frais d'ouverture offerts ! | |||||
 Fin de Série Bbox WiFi 5 12-month commitment |
1
Gbit/s
700 Mbit/s WiFi 5 |
200 channels
TV decoder |
|
View offer
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| View details Hide details | |||||
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Download: up to 1 Gbit/s
Upload: up to 700 Mbit/s Compatible with WiFi 5 |
24,99€/month for 12 months then 29,99€/month
Calls to landlines |
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Série Spéciale Livebox Lite Fibre 12-month commitment |
1
Gbit/s
700 Mbit/s WiFi 5 |
200 channels
TV decoder |
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| View details Hide details | |||||
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Download: up to 1 Gbit/s
Upload: up to 700 Mbit/s Compatible with WiFi 5 |
29,99€/month with no duration condition.
Calls to landlines |
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 Box SFR Fibre Power S 12-month commitment |
1
Gbit/s
1 Gbit/s WiFi 6 |
160 channels
TV decoder |
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| View details Hide details | |||||
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Download: up to 1 Gbit/s
Upload: up to 1 Gbit/s Compatible with WiFi 6 |
31,99€/month with no predefined duration.
Calls to landlines + mobiles 100 heures d'enregistrement |
Non-exhaustive selection of offers, sorted by Selectra Score. Learn more about our scoring methodology
Not sure which box is right for you?
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📖 Explore our TV guides for France:
Frequently asked questions about TV in France
How does TV work in France for expats?
TV in France is accessible in three main ways: free digital TV (TNT) with a decoder (~€20–40), an internet box included in most broadband subscriptions (the most common choice for expats), or streaming platforms. Most households opt for a triple-play internet plan, which bundles internet, phone and TV, giving access to 100 to 300+ channels including replay, for around €25–55/month.
Is there a TV licence fee in France?
No. France abolished its television licence (redevance audiovisuelle) in August 2022. You no longer pay any annual fee for owning a television, regardless of whether you use TNT, an internet box, or streaming services.
Can I watch UK TV in France?
Yes. You can watch UK TV in France via a satellite dish (free-to-air UK channels including BBC and ITV are available on Astra 28.2°E), via an English channel pack from Orange (~€5/month) or SFR (~€5.99/month), or by using a VPN or expat UK TV box service to access BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4. See our full guide to English TV in France for a detailed comparison.
What is TNT in France?
TNT (Télévision Numérique Terrestre) is France's free digital terrestrial TV network. It provides access to over 25 free channels (including TF1, France 2, M6, Arte and BFM TV) with no subscription. You only need a compatible TV or an external decoder available from around €20 at any electronics retailer.
Do French internet boxes include TV?
Yes. All major French internet subscriptions (Orange, SFR, Free, Bouygues Telecom) are triple-play offers that include a TV decoder at no extra cost. Depending on the plan, you get between 100 and 300+ channels, plus replay TV. Premium streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video are bundled with certain higher-tier plans.