TFX (formerly NT1) is a French free television network operated by Groupe TF1, targeting younger audiences.
History
NT1 was proposed in 2002 by AB Groupe for a frequency in the DTT, as a generalist channel inspired by its elders RTL9 and AB1. It was selected on June 10, 2003 for the launch of the TNT platform scheduled for March 2005.[1] In late 2004, AB Groupe announced their intention to call the channel La Quatre (The Four). However, in January 2005, France Télévisions announced that they would rebrand their channel Festival as France 4. AB Groupe decided to revert to the NT1 name.
TF1 Group decided to make a number of changes, notably by upgrading NT1 to 16:9 in November 2010. It was the last DVB-T channel to switch to this format.[4] In addition, NT1 became the group's channel for young adults.[5]
On 19 May 2015, the channel launched its version in HDTV.[6]
On 26 May 2015, TF1, TMC, NT1 and HD1 merged their websites and united them on its platform MYTF1.[7]
On 18 October 2017, TF1 Group announced that NT1 will change its name to TFX in 2018.[8] The rebrand took effect at 9pm on January 30, 2018.[9][10]
On 28 February 2022, as part of the merger of their two groups, TF1 Group and M6 Group announce that they are in exclusive negotiations with Altice Média for the sale of TFX and 6ter.[11]
Since October 2022, TFX, as well as the free DTT channels of the TF1 group, have been accessible free to air, via the Astra 1 satellite. This broadcast follows a temporary interruption in encrypted broadcasting to Canal+ and TNTSAT subscribers, following a commercial dispute. However, despite the resumption of encrypted broadcasts within the Canal+ and TNTSAT bouquets, this free-to-air broadcasting continues. TFX is therefore received free of charge in almost all of Continental Europe.[12]
Since 8 September 2024, as the children programming block TFOU got mostly replaced by a morning show on TF1's weekday schedule, TFOU was moved to TFX on weekdays after 6.55 a.m., sharing the block on the two channels. The move on TFX gave TFOU longer broadcasts on Wednesdays where it airs until 9.30 a.m. rather than 8.30 a.m. for other regular weekdays.[13][14]
At the launch of NT1 in 2005, it did aired children cartoons in the morning.[15] In the 2010s, NT1 did air live-action programming for childrens in the morning like Violetta.[16]
Since 8 January 2024, TFX share the children's programming block TFOU with TF1 on weekdays, airing it from 6.55 a.m. to 8.30 a.m., and until 9.30 a.m. on Wednesdays.[17][18] On TFX, it can run longer, such as on the public holiday 11 November 2024 when it airs until noon which never happened on TF1.
NT1 aired animes since its beginning targeting teens, in the beginning in the after-school slot.[15] Its original owner AB Groupe was an important distributor of animes in France, having produced Club Dorothée, a television block of TF1 from 1987 to 1997 which aired mostly animes which were controversial due to their violence for a children audience.
On 24 July 2008, the channel announced it would broadcast the 2008–09A1 Grand Prix events on Sundays.[22] This international racing series was to be shown live or pre-recorded. The deal was confirmed by Richard Maroko, General Programmes Manager of the AB Groupe and Richard Dorfman, A1GP's director of broadcasting.
UEFA Nations League (selected matches (including Finals and excluding France team) (shared with L'Équipe (group stage only), TMC, and W9), France matches live on TF1 and M6)
Friendly matches (selected matches not involving France team (shared with W9 and L'Équipe), France matches live on TF1, TMC (one match only in 2019), and M6)
