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France Télévisions
France Télévisions is actively commissioning children's animation and international competition formats, with a co-production model anchored in European public broadcaster alliances.
Current mandate
France Télévisions is currently commissioning across two distinct lanes: children's animation and proven international competition formats. Most recently, the broadcaster commissioned the first international version of Talpa Studios talent show The Winner Takes it All (July 2026) and greenlighted a third season of children's animated musical Lolirock after a nine-year absence from screen (June 2026). Both moves reflect a deliberate push toward formats with demonstrated international ratings pedigree.
Over the past twelve months, the broadcaster has maintained a steady acquisition and commissioning pace across children's animation titles including Blooming Wonders (Patouille et Momo), Chickies, Frnck, and the Billy the Cowboy Hamster second season and specials. The Billy the Cowboy Hamster renewal is emblematic of the broader pattern: a 48x11' second season and 2x22' specials entered production at Dandelooo's in-house studio Ooolala, co-produced with Belgian indie Bardaf! Productions and Belgian pubcaster RTBF, with delivery slated for 2026. The series draws on existing IP from Dutch author and illustrator Catharina Valckx, and season one has been acquired by broadcasters across European, MENA, and US territories.
Access to France Télévisions runs primarily through established co-production relationships with European public broadcasters and independent producers. The broadcaster's stated preference, articulated by Alduy, is for co-production structures in which France Télévisions originates the project and all partners share ownership at the writers' room stage. Producers approaching the broadcaster should be prepared to engage on that structural model, particularly those seeking streamer-adjacent partnerships.
Signature peaks
- Active Children's Animation — Multiple commissions in 12mo including Billy the Cowboy Hamster S2, Blooming Wonders, Chickies, Frnck
- Commissioning International Format Adaptation — First international version of Talpa Studios' The Winner Takes it All commissioned July 2026
- Greenlit Animated Series Revival — Lolirock Season 3 greenlit June 2026 after nine-year absence from screen
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- drama, stage adaptation, social issue drama, current affairs
- Territory focus
- France
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- France Télévisions is best approached through established European co-production structures. The broadcaster's stated model, as articulated by Alduy, requires projects to originate from France Télévisions with all partners taking ownership at the writers' room stage. Belgian pubcaster RTBF and independent producers such as Bardaf! Productions and Dandelooo represent the type of co-production partners the broadcaster works with in practice. Producers seeking entry should align with this origination model and be prepared to discuss shared IP ownership from the outset.
- Deal structure
- Co-production with shared IP ownership from the writers' room stage; no disclosed budget figures across recent deals. Financing distributed across multiple partners including European public broadcasters and independent producers. Delivery timelines tied to production schedules (Billy the Cowboy Hamster S2 delivery slated for 2026). Format adaptations (The Winner Takes it All) commissioned as first international versions, suggesting exclusivity on territorial adaptation rights.
Recent acquisitions
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Blooming Wonders (Patouille et Momo)
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Chickies
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Frnck
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Lolirock (Season 3)
Public broadcaster France Télévisions is rebooting children's musical series Lolirock for a third season after a nine-year absence from the screen.
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The Winner Takes it All (French version)
France Télévisions has commissioned the first international version of Talpa Studios talent show The Winner Takes it All.
Market context
"We want to work more with platforms but there needs to be flexibility on both sides." France Télévisions seeks co-production partnerships with streamers on the model of its Alliance with ZDF and RAI, where projects originate from the broadcaster and all partners take ownership in writers' rooms.
France Télévisions is currently commissioning across two distinct lanes: children's animation and proven international competition formats. Most recently, the broadcaster commissioned the first international version of Talpa Studios talent show The Winner Takes it All (July 2026) and greenlighted a third season of children's animated musical Lolirock after a nine-year absence from screen (June 2026). Both moves reflect a deliberate push toward formats with demonstrated international ratings pedigree.
Common questions about France Télévisions
Does France Télévisions accept unsolicited scripts?
France Télévisions does not operate as an open-submission broadcaster. The broadcaster's stated model requires projects to originate from within France Télévisions itself, with co-production partners joining at the writers' room stage and sharing ownership. Unsolicited scripts are unlikely to gain traction; the preferred entry point is through an established European co-production relationship or an independent producer already working within the broadcaster's network.
What budgets does France Télévisions commission at?
No budget figures have been disclosed across recent commissions including Billy the Cowboy Hamster Season 2, Blooming Wonders, Lolirock Season 3, or The Winner Takes it All. The broadcaster operates a co-production model, meaning financing is typically shared across multiple partners such as Belgian pubcaster RTBF and indie producers like Bardaf! Productions and Dandelooo. Budget scale will vary by format and the number of co-production partners attached.
Does France Télévisions acquire from festivals?
Festival acquisition is not the primary route into France Télévisions based on recent activity. The broadcaster's commissioning pattern over the past twelve months skews toward co-productions built around existing IP (such as Catharina Valckx's books for Billy the Cowboy Hamster) or proven international formats with strong ratings track records (such as Talpa Studios' The Winner Takes it All). Festival titles with strong international pre-sales or co-production partners already attached are better positioned.
How do you reach France Télévisions decision makers?
France Télévisions has 21 decision makers tracked in recent coverage. The broadcaster's leadership, including Alduy, has spoken publicly about co-production strategy at industry events. The most effective access pathway is through established European public broadcaster alliances or independent producers with existing relationships at the broadcaster. France Télévisions' stated preference is for partnerships modeled on its Alliance with ZDF and RAI, where the broadcaster originates the project.
What genres is France Télévisions prioritizing right now?
As of mid-2026, France Télévisions is most active in two areas: children's animation (preschool and older-skewing animated series, including musical formats) and proven international talent and competition formats. Recent commissions include the animated preschool series Billy the Cowboy Hamster S2, the children's animated musical Lolirock S3, and the first international adaptation of Talpa Studios' talent show The Winner Takes it All. The broadcaster has also stated interest in co-productions with streaming platforms, provided there is flexibility on ownership structure.
Is France Télévisions currently active in the market?
Yes. France Télévisions recorded 35 total activity signals in the past twelve months and two unique deals in both the past 30 and 90 days, with the latest signal dated July 10, 2026. The broadcaster commissioned The Winner Takes it All in July 2026 and greenlighted Lolirock Season 3 in June 2026, indicating sustained commissioning activity heading into the second half of 2026. The co-production of Billy the Cowboy Hamster S2 is in active production with delivery slated for 2026.
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