The publisher is to launch Ouest-France TV in September 2025, aiming to engage underserved young adults aged 25 to 49 beyond Paris with locally focused video content.
Ouest France will launch its own television channel in September 2025 as part of a wider effort to reach younger viewers and diversify its revenue base. The new service, provisionally called Ouest-France TV, will focus on locally produced video content aimed at 25 to 49-year-olds living outside major cities.
Speaking at the World News Media Congress, CEO Fabrice Bakhouche said the initiative was a response to shifting media consumption habits. “Video is the future for our legacy media,” he said, adding that traditional publishers must move beyond text to remain relevant to digital-first audiences.
The channel will be available via terrestrial broadcast, cable, satellite and streaming platforms, and aims to serve a regional audience often overlooked by Paris-based broadcasters. Bakhouche described this group as “the most underserved segment in the French TV market”.
Ouest France is partnering with TF1 Publicité to monetise its video inventory, citing the higher CPMs available on TV compared to its current digital offerings. It will also work with France Télévisions and Together Media to produce talk shows and other visual formats tailored to local interests.
The launch forms part of a broader push to increase national visibility and convert viewers into subscribers. Bakhouche said the company would explore integrated bundles combining print, digital and video access. “TV can help us win new subscribers – and show our current ones what we’re doing differently,” he said.
AI will play a key role in production workflows, with the company seeing the channel as an opportunity to experiment with emerging technologies more freely than its legacy operations might allow.
The move comes as many regional publishers in France face declining print revenues and rising competition for attention. Ouest France’s strategy focuses on deepening local engagement while building new, scalable revenue models through video and subscription. Bakhouche summed up the approach bluntly: “If we just stay still and keep talking among ourselves, nothing will happen.”
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://wan-ifra.org/2025/05/ouest-france-bets-on-tv-to-diversify-revenue-streams/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://wan-ifra.org/2025/05/ouest-france-bets-on-tv-to-diversify-revenue-streams/ – Sipa Ouest-France, one of France’s largest news media groups, is launching a new television channel called Novo 19 in September 2025. This strategic move aims to diversify revenue streams and capitalize on the growing demand for video content. CEO Fabrice Bakhouche emphasized the importance of adapting to new formats to retain and attract audiences. The company has partnered with TF1 Publicité to handle monetization, leveraging their expertise in advertising and higher CPM rates. Additionally, collaborations with France Télévisions and Together Media are planned to produce talk shows, and the integration of AI technologies is being explored to enhance content creation and efficiency.
- https://www.antidox.fr/en/2024/09/06/ouest-france-tv-a-regionalisation-of-the-french-audiovisual-landscape/ – Ouest-France, France’s largest regional daily, is launching Ouest-France TV, a free generalist channel focusing on local news and targeting young adults aged 25 to 49 living outside city centers. The channel aims to provide an alternative to existing Paris-based channels by offering content rooted in regional realities. It will be accessible via multiple platforms, including terrestrial networks, cable, satellite, and streaming, integrating interactive features with social networks and mobile applications to encourage audience participation. This initiative represents a revitalization of the French broadcasting industry, potentially inspiring other regional dailies to follow suit.
- https://www.archyde.com/pourquoi-le-groupe-ouest-france-croit-en-ses-chances-d-obtenir-une-frequence-tnt-1002463-html/ – Ouest-France is positioning its upcoming television channel, Ouest-France TV (OFTV), as a free generalist channel that embodies all French territories. Aimed at young adults aged 25 to 49 living outside city centers, OFTV seeks to provide content that reflects the diverse experiences of the French population. The channel plans to launch on September 1, 2025, and will be available on all networks, including IPTV, satellite, and OTT platforms. The initiative is part of Ouest-France’s sustained digital development, aiming to become a leader in French news media.
- https://www.euro.dayfr.com/tv/2184980.html – Ouest-France TV, the upcoming channel from Ouest-France, is considering a postponement of its launch, currently scheduled for March 1, 2025. Discussions with the Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication (Arcom) are ongoing to potentially delay the launch to September 1, 2025. The channel plans to employ a transition grid if an earlier launch is necessary. Initially, the channel aimed to hire 58 employees, but this number has been reduced to 35 to minimize investments until certain audience levels are reached. Construction of the TV set in Rennes has also been postponed to 2026 or 2027 due to significant costs.
- https://www.euro.dayfr.com/tv/2134091.html – Guénaëlle Troly has been appointed as the general director of Ouest-France TV, the new channel from Ouest-France. The channel is set to replace C8 and NRJ 12 on French digital terrestrial television (DTT) starting March 1, 2025. Discussions with the Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication (Arcom) are underway to potentially postpone the launch to September 1, 2025. Troly, who previously launched RMC Découverte, is tasked with building a team of approximately 30 professionals and developing a diverse programming schedule that reflects the authenticity and diversity of France.
- https://www.wan-ifra.org/2024/05/wan-ifra-publishes-5th-report-on-ai/ – WAN-IFRA’s 5th Report on AI highlights Ouest-France as one of the most advanced French media groups in terms of strategy and initiatives around generative AI. The report notes that Ouest-France has quietly become a leader in AI adoption, leveraging the technology to enhance its journalistic processes and content creation. This positions the company at the forefront of integrating AI into media operations, reflecting a broader trend in the industry towards embracing artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and innovation.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, dated May 22, 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is October 22, 2024, when Ouest-France announced its plans for a new television channel. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative includes updated data, justifying a higher freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from CEO Fabrice Bakhouche are unique to this report, with no earlier matches found online. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from WAN-IFRA, a reputable organisation in the media industry, enhancing its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Ouest-France’s new television channel align with previously reported plans, including the launch date of September 1, 2025, and the partnership with TF1 Publicité. The integration of AI technologies and the focus on local content are consistent with the company’s strategic direction. The language and tone are appropriate for the topic and region.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent and based on a press release, indicating high freshness. The quotes are unique, suggesting original content. The source is reputable, and the claims are plausible and consistent with previous reports. No significant credibility risks were identified.
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