IPTV France covers two quite different situations. Inside France, IPTV is the normal way people watch TV: the Freebox, Livebox, SFR Box and Bbox all deliver channels over the internet line. Outside France, or without a French broadband contract, you rely on streaming apps such as Molotov, CANAL+, france.tv or Free’s new Free TV app, plus international options like TV5MONDE. What works depends on where you are, because French broadcast rights are mostly sold country by country.
This guide walks through each route, what it costs at the time of writing, and what you can realistically expect to watch from abroad. If you want a broader package overview, see our earlier guide to IPTV France packages and channels.
How French TV is delivered: the ISP boxes
France adopted IPTV early. Most households get TV through their internet provider’s set-top box, which receives channels over the broadband line rather than by aerial or satellite. If you want the technical background, our explainer on how IPTV streaming technology works covers the basics.
| Operator | Box | Companion TV app | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Freebox (Pop, Ultra, Delta and others) | Free TV | Free TV is now open to everyone in a free tier; Free TV+ adds channels for Freebox customers |
| Orange | Livebox with TV decoder | TV d’Orange | App included for Livebox customers |
| SFR | SFR Box | SFR TV | Included for fixed-line customers, with some mobile plans |
| Bouygues Telecom | Bbox | B.tv | Redesigned app; access depends on the plan |
The important limitation: these boxes are tied to a French broadband line. The decoder is designed to receive TV on that subscriber’s own connection, so you can’t take a Livebox decoder to Spain or Canada and plug it into a local router. The companion apps extend viewing to phones, tablets and some smart TVs, but each operator sets its own rules on where they work, so check your operator’s current terms before you travel.
Streaming apps for French TV
If you don’t have a French ISP box, or want TV on more devices, these licensed apps are the main options. Prices and channel counts change often, so treat figures here as a snapshot.
Molotov
Molotov is a TV streaming app available on phones, tablets, browsers, smart TVs and streaming devices. It has a free tier with a selection of free-to-air channels (without TF1 or M6) and ads, plus paid tiers, such as Molotov Extra and Molotov Extended, that add more channels, replay, cloud recording and several simultaneous Full HD screens. Paid tiers start at around €6 to €7 a month at the time of writing.
CANAL+ (myCANAL)
The myCANAL app, now increasingly branded simply as the CANAL+ app, is how CANAL+ subscribers watch live channels, replay and the CANAL+ catalog on any device. It is the main legal route to many top sports rights in France, including major football and rugby competitions, and premium cinema and series. Streaming is restricted to France and the EU.
france.tv
france.tv is the free streaming platform of the public broadcaster France Télévisions, covering France 2, France 3, France 4, France 5 and franceinfo with live streams and replay. It needs a free account. Much of its live and replay content is restricted to France because of broadcast rights.
Free TV
In October 2025, Free turned its Oqee app into Free TV and opened a free tier to everyone, not just Freebox customers. It offers over 170 channels (again without TF1 and M6) with replay, on mobile, TV, computer and tablet, and requires an account. A paid Free TV+ tier with more channels is reserved for Freebox and some Free Mobile customers.
Broadcaster apps
TF1+ and M6+ (the TF1 and M6 groups’ own apps) and arte.tv offer live streams and replay for their channels, generally free with ads. ARTE is notable for publishing many programs with subtitles in several languages.
Free and FAST options
FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) channels are linear channels that run on ads instead of subscriptions. In France they include:
- Pluto TV: free, no account needed, with a French lineup of themed channels.
- Samsung TV Plus: free channels built into compatible Samsung smart TVs.
- Free TV and Molotov free tiers: both now carry free channels and ad-supported content.
- TV5MONDEplus: a free, ad-supported French-language on-demand platform from TV5MONDE, available in most countries.
FAST channels are mostly themed (films, series, reality, news), not the main French networks. They are a good extra, not a full replacement for TF1, France 2 or CANAL+.
What works when you’re abroad
This is where expectations need care. French TV rights are usually licensed for France only, so many services check your location.
| Where you are | What generally works | What usually doesn’t |
|---|---|---|
| Traveling in another EU country | Paid services like CANAL+ and Molotov’s paid tiers, thanks to EU portability rules | Some free services, which may choose not to offer portability |
| Living elsewhere in the EU | Services that sell to your country; TV5MONDE; ARTE | French services tied to French residence once you are no longer “temporarily” abroad |
| Outside the EU (UK, US, Canada, etc.) | TV5MONDE channels and TV5MONDEplus in most countries; France 24 and some news channels online; CANAL+ downloads made before leaving the EU | Most live French network streams, myCANAL streaming, ISP boxes |
The EU rule behind the first row is the Portability Regulation (EU) 2017/1128, applied since 1 April 2018. It requires paid online content services to let subscribers use their service while temporarily present in another EU country, at no extra cost. Free services can opt in but don’t have to, which is why some free apps still block you when you cross a border.
We don’t cover ways to bypass geo-blocking. Rights holders restrict content for licensing reasons, and the terms of most services forbid it. The safest approach abroad is to choose services sold in your country of residence, or a provider whose offer is licensed where you live.
Using an international IPTV service for French channels
Some French expats and Francophone viewers outside Europe look at international IPTV services that include French channels alongside other countries. IPTV as a technology is legal, but services that rebroadcast channels without a license are not, and enforcement against unlicensed IPTV in France has increased in recent years. Check what rights a provider holds and your local law before you subscribe.
IPTV Journal’s own plan includes a French channel section within its 20,000+ live channels; lineups change, so contact support to confirm the specific channels you care about before buying. The plan is 12 months for $89, with details in the IPTV Journal pricing section. For setup on your device, our guide to the best IPTV apps for streaming lists players for each platform.
Which option should you choose?
If you live in France, your ISP box plus the CANAL+ app for premium sport and film covers almost everything, and Free TV or Molotov’s free tier adds TV on extra devices at no cost. If you travel within the EU, paid apps like CANAL+ and Molotov follow you under the portability rules. If you live outside Europe, start with TV5MONDE, TV5MONDEplus, France 24 and FAST channels, then look for services licensed in your country for anything more. For a wider comparison of streaming versus traditional TV, see IPTV vs cable.
FAQ
Is IPTV legal in France?
Yes. IPTV is how most French households already watch TV, through the Freebox, Livebox, SFR Box and Bbox. What is illegal is subscribing to services that rebroadcast channels without the rights, and French authorities have stepped up action against those services.
Can I watch French TV for free?
Yes, within limits. france.tv, arte.tv, the TF1+ and M6+ apps, Free TV’s free tier and Molotov’s free tier offer live channels or replay at no cost, usually with ads and an account. Pluto TV and Samsung TV Plus add free themed channels.
Can I use my Freebox or Livebox outside France?
The TV decoder is designed to work on your own French broadband line, so it isn’t a solution for watching abroad. The operator’s mobile app may work in some situations, but each operator sets its own rules, so check your contract and the app’s terms before you travel.
Does myCANAL work outside France?
CANAL+ streaming is available in France and when you travel within the EU. Outside the EU, you can generally only watch programs you downloaded in the app before leaving.
Which French channels are available worldwide?
TV5MONDE is designed as an international French-language channel and is widely available, and TV5MONDEplus offers free on-demand content in most countries. France 24 and some news channels stream online internationally. The main national networks are usually geo-restricted.
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