Netflix is set to stream live television for the first time in its history, with France taking the lead.
The streaming giant has signed a deal with French broadcaster TF1 to offer traditional live TV—yes, old-school linear television. While that may seem like a step back, some viewers may find its simplicity and structure quite appealing again.
American media outlets are eyeing this development with concern, noting that Europe seems to be gaining the upper hand in terms of innovation and market evolution. While live streaming isn’t entirely absent in the U.S.—HBO Max, for example, offers a CNN livestream—it remains the exception rather than the rule.
In the Netherlands, there’s NL Ziet, a collaboration between public and commercial broadcasters, offering both live and on-demand streamed content. However, this service is limited to traditional channels and isn’t part of a larger platform like Netflix, meaning users need to subscribe to yet another separate service.
All in all, this move in France might mark the beginning of a broader trend—time will tell if other countries will follow suit.