Do you want to learn French through immersion in French TV? Would you like to watch shows from your native country? Thankfully, there are a few ways for you to watch French TV shows online through free and paid subscriptions.
Arte
Arte is a free TV publisher that offers content for French, Dutch, Spanish, Polish and Italian viewers. If you choose the English option, you can find a variety of shows and documentaries with subtitles. However, French viewers can watch a variety of different dramas, comedies, crime shows and documentaries. Just a few of the series available include Berlin 56, Loulou, 1864, Chapeau melon et bottes du cuir and Persuasif.
Filmon
At Filmon, you can watch a variety of different shows online, but you don't have the option to choose the shows you want to watch. However, they offer RTS UN, which has a variety of entertainment programming and a programming guide to show you what is on. Additionally, you can watch RTS Deux which features children's programming. Since Filmon also plays programs in English, to find the French channels, you can search RTS Un and RTS Deux. While you can watch for free, an ad asking for a paid subscription does pop up every so often interrupting viewing. The site also offers on-demand movies for free. While this site is legal, it has been involved in several legal battles for airing specific US tv stations. Additionally, paid subscriptions are available.
France 24
If you are looking to catch up on French news and media TV, then you can watch a variety of news related TV shows on France 24 like Mediawatch, Reporters, Eye on Africa, Encore and Talking Europe. Not only are you able to watch live on YouTube, you can also watch recordings of some of your favorite news media TV. Watching doesn't require any signing up and is as simple as clicking on the show you want to watch. To get the shows in French, click on the Français at the top of the screen.
YouTube
A popular go-to for all your viewing needs, YouTube offers a variety of French shows. Not only can you find shows like Les Aventures de Tintin, but you can find access to a variety of different French TV shows that are beneficial for learning like Un Village Français, which is good for intermediate learners, but Plus Belle la Vie for beginners. You can just watch or sign up for a free account.
Sling TV
For $15 a month, you can purchase a French TV package from Sling TV. The Juste French package offers full access to channels like TV5Monde, Style, Outside TV and Willow to name a few. Additionally, you can access TiVi5, which is a French-language kids channel with shows like Anatole Lauile, 100% Animal, Baskerville and Belle et Sebastien. You can also catch up on sports and extreme sports through channels like Fastbox and Fun.
Amazon Prime
To meet all your needs, in 2018, Amazon Prime acquired access to more than 40 premium TV shows and movies for French viewers. These shows include Sam, Rita, Les Innocents, Desperate Parents and A French Village to name a few. You can find shows ranging from dramas to war series. Getting access to Amazon Prime will cost you $12.99 a month. And it has an app.
Netflix
Not only does Netflix offer a variety of simpler kids shows for French viewers but they also offer a variety of TV shows like La Mante and Marseille. These shows all feature subtitles to allow you to hear and dictate French. Additionally, they have kids shows like Seven and Me and Zak and Me. You can also get your fill of suspense, drama, goofy and even exciting French language shows. A basic subscription costs $7.99 a month for Netflix.
Finding Your Fix
If you just want to catch up on shows in your native tongue, try binge-watching on Amazon or Sling TV. However, if you are trying to learn, Netflix or YouTube might be more your style. Regardless, there are several places available with access to French TV shows. Now get ready to watch some of the best online TV.
