France’s Newen Studios Rebrands as Studio TF1 as It Fully Steps Into Theatrical Distribution

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Newen Studios, a fully-owned subsidiary of French broadcasting company TF1, is embarking on a new phase where the production of feature films for the global market and increased involvement in the international film scene will be more prominent.

In April, Pierre Branco, a previous country manager for Warner Bros Discovery in France, Benelux, and Africa, joined the company as its new CEO. Now, the company is transitioning into Studio TF1, signifying its broadened global scope and aspirations. Originally engaged in cinema distribution through its alliance with French studio UGC, the company will fully shift towards theatrical distribution starting from 2026. This move is part of their commitment to increase film production and distribution.

As a movie enthusiast, I firmly believe that in this rapidly evolving film industry, it’s crucial to establish a self-explanatory identity, a moniker that resonates strongly, and a partnership that oozes reliability. Just like TF1, a partner we trust and are proud to stand alongside, who isn’t going anywhere. In an exclusive chat with EbMaster, I expressed this very thought, stressing the pivotal role production and distribution play in our strategic plan for the TF1 group. Our new name underscores this significance.

Today, Studio TF1 currently operates approximately 50 production companies spread across twelve nations, primarily focusing on television productions. Under the guidance of new leader Branco, the company aims to bolster its position in the movie industry by capitalizing on existing competencies across diverse genres and markets. By the year 2025, it is anticipated that Studio TF1 will generate around 3750 hours of programming, as stated by Branco. In terms of distribution, Studio TF1 possesses a vast library encompassing over 20,000 hours of content, including around 1000 films.

Branco mentioned that they’re currently engaged in the world of film through several of their exceptional production labels, and they have ties with TF1, a company with a rich history in French cinematography.

Branco stated that we’ve been here for nearly a year now, and our shift towards theatrical productions along with our new name change demonstrates our group’s ambition to make a strong global impact. We aim to leverage this strength and agility further, and ultimately, increase our visibility within the world of cinema.

French-based Studio TF1 has been growing its presence beyond France over the past four years, primarily through acquisitions of businesses in Europe and North America. Notably, more than half of the company’s earnings currently come from outside France, as indicated by Branco. In the future, Branco intends to focus on expanding Studio TF1’s global reach even further by capitalizing on the international reputation of the TF1 brand, particularly in the United States.

According to Branco, the moment is perfect for Studio TF1 to strengthen its position within the robust and flourishing French film market. He highlighted that the local box office, where both French films and major Hollywood productions are doing well, indicates a strong and healthy industry landscape.

By 2027, our company intends to nearly double its movie production rate, targeting between 10 and 15 films per year. Branco mentioned that this expansion will encompass making films in a range of genres, such as mainstream comedies, creator-focused projects, and animation.

Studio TF1 boasts a robust history of creating daily soap operas, with three popular series currently broadcasting on both TF1 and TF1+ in France: “Tomorrow is Yours” (“Demain Nous Appartient”), “The Beginning of Everything” (“Ici Tout Commence”), and “More Beautiful Life.

White stated that these daily shows demand a massive scale of production and exceptional storytelling abilities, skills that Studio TF1 has perfected, providing them with a significant edge over other firms. Notably, Studio TF1 is working with Netflix on the streamer’s inaugural French daily soap in 2025, titled “All for the Light,” which will be simultaneously aired on TF1 and Netflix in France.

The clothing company has additionally been a significant provider of TV films, including Christmas specials. They produce approximately 120 TV movies each year primarily through their Canadian division Reel One. This is an area that Studio TF1 intends to expand upon with Johnson Production Group, which Newen acquired last summer for €65 million and serves as a major supplier of TV movies for networks like TF1, Lifetime, Hallmark, and various streaming platforms. Studio TF1, which includes the news agency CAPA among its production labels, will also continue producing hard-hitting and impactful documentaries such as “Soumission Chimique,” narrated by Caroline Darian, the daughter of rape survivor Gisele Pelicot.

The business is additionally working on collaborative productions with foreign associates, building upon hits like the Netflix show “Undercover,” a remake of a Belgian franchise, and the forthcoming “The Seduction,” a fresh French original series for Max, which is an adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 18th-century novel “Dangerous Liaisons,” featuring Diane Kruger, Anamaria Vartolomei, and Lucas Bravo.

Studio TF1’s ambition to commence the role of a theatrical distributor in France, starting from 2026, is expected to provide the company with greater authority over the initial phase of distribution and fortify its bonds with talented professionals.

Branco stated, “Our aim is to make all our home-grown productions available for theatrical release in France, much like other key players in the industry such as Studiocanal do with their films.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Studio TF1 is planning to expand its horizons by creating intellectual properties (IPs) with universal appeal. This means investing more in collaborative productions and remakes. The success of our international distribution activities, which have seen us handle the rights for hit French movies like “HPI” and “Jamais sans mon psy,” will be instrumental in executing this strategy.

Studio TF1 will maintain its autonomy, working alongside external creators, but it will also forge strategic partnerships with other companies within the TF1 Group.

White stated that Studio TF1 plans to leverage the knowledge of Rodolphe Belmer, the newly appointed president of TF1 Group, whose background spans both cinema and television. Previously, he served as head of Canal+ Group.

Moving forward, Studio TF1 is set to partner with TF1 Film Production as well. This entity manages film investments for the various TV channels of TF1.

Or, more concisely:
Studio TF1 will collaborate with TF1 Film Production, handling movie investments for their television channels in the future.

Studio TF1’s editorial guidance will cover a range of film genres, according to Branco. This includes recent comedies like “Chasse Gardée” and “Jamais SWithout My Psy,” which both saw success in theaters with nearly 2 million admissions each, as well as auteur-driven projects such as the Venice Film Festival winner “Playing With Fire” starring Vincent Lindon. The distribution plan will also feature animated films, along with titles from co-productions or collaborations with external production companies, as Branco noted.

Studio TF1’s distribution network has a strong partner, helping both in-house and external producers secure funding for ambitious projects via co-production and pre-sales, as seen in TF1’s “Cat’s Eyes” reboot of the Japanese anime. Branco explained that they managed to bring Amazon on board, along with European and international partners, ensuring the series could be produced and aired. Additionally, Newen has sold the popular TF1 series “HPI (High Intellect Potential)” worldwide and also sold the remake to ABC. The banner also licensed the remake rights for its movie “Jamais sans mon psy” to Sony.

Branco is equally keen on exploring well-known intellectual properties and leveraging its collection of around 1,000 movies, featuring classics such as “La Môme,” “The Name of the Rose,” and “The Wages of Fear.” Notably, “The Wages of Fear” was reimagined for Netflix in 2024.

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2025-01-21 20:48