BFM TV
A French rolling-news television channel and digital news brand.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
BFM TV, commonly stylized as BFMTV, is a French rolling-news television channel and digital news service headquartered in Paris. It was created as a television extension of BFM Business, whose name originally referred to Business FM, and was developed by NextRadioTV, the media group that later became part of RMC BFM. The channel began broadcasting on 28 November 2005 after receiving regulatory approval from France's Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel earlier that year. Its launch expanded the BFM identity from business and economic programming into general news, politics, breaking events, weather, traffic, sport and live public-affairs coverage. The defining editorial and commercial proposition of BFM TV has been a highly reactive, live-oriented format. Rather than relying mainly on long pre-recorded programmes, the channel built its schedule around frequent updates, live reporting, studio discussion, interviews and rolling coverage. Its programming has repeatedly been reorganized around the news cycle, with branded blocks such as BFM Matin, BFM Non-Stop, BFM Story, Première édition and evening news editions. The close relationship with the RMC radio network has also supported simulcasts, sports segments and cross-platform talent sharing. BFM TV grew rapidly during its first years. It became the leading French all-news television channel by audience share in 2008 and subsequently developed a substantial presence in French political and media life. Its reach has been strengthened by cable, satellite, digital terrestrial television, connected devices and the bfmtv.com website, which provides written articles, video, live streams and replay material. The brand has also extended into localized and thematic services, including BFM Paris and the former BFM Sport service, although these outlets have had distinct programming and strategic trajectories. The channel's editorial identity has attracted both recognition and criticism. Supporters point to its speed, availability during emergencies and ability to provide continuous public information. Commentators have also described its economic coverage as comparatively business-oriented and supportive of market reform, distinguishing it from traditions associated with state-sector and labor perspectives in French media. Critics have periodically questioned the effects of continuous live television, the prominence of commentary and the concentration of media ownership. These debates form part of the wider discussion surrounding French news pluralism rather than changing the channel's central role as a mass-market news outlet. BFM TV is the flagship television property of the RMC BFM division. Following the transfer of the RMC BFM media assets from Altice to CMA CGM in 2024, the channel became part of the CMA CGM-owned RMC BFM group. It remains an active French news brand whose operations combine television broadcasting with web, mobile and social distribution. Its current business model is based principally on advertising, distribution and digital audience monetization, while its competitive position depends on live-news availability, recognizable presenters, breaking-news infrastructure and integration with the broader RMC BFM portfolio.
History
BFM TV was conceived by NextRadioTV as a general-news television offshoot of BFM Business. The BFM name had originated with Business FM, but the television project broadened the identity to cover the full national news agenda. Regulatory approval was granted by the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel on 5 May 2005, and the channel began broadcasting on 28 November of the same year. Alain Weill served as chairman and chief executive at launch. The early schedule was organized around morning and evening news blocks, with presenters delivering general news, financial information and interviews. Between the principal programmes, the channel used frequent short updates and image-led reports. This structure was progressively revised as the audience grew. In 2006 and 2007, BFM TV introduced more presenter-led daytime and evening blocks, political programming connected with the 2007 presidential election, and closer cooperation with BFM Business and RMC. A major repositioning occurred in 2007 and 2008. The channel refreshed its graphics, music, three-dimensional presentation elements and on-air slogan, while adding journalists and presenters. It increasingly promoted itself as a continuously live news channel. The May 2008 schedule consolidated the rolling-news model and incorporated sports material produced with RMC. From that point, annual schedule changes became a characteristic of the brand: presenters exchanged time slots, new debate and interview programmes were introduced, and the balance between rolling updates, political discussion, business coverage, culture and sport was adjusted to the news cycle. BFM TV's audience rose steadily and it became France's most-watched news channel in 2008. Its strength came from speed, extensive live reporting and a format suited to breaking events. The channel's coverage has made it a significant source of information during elections, public emergencies, protests, major sporting events and other national moments. At the same time, its influence has generated discussion about editorial tone, the boundary between reporting and commentary, and the role of private media groups in French public debate. The service expanded beyond its main national channel. BFM Sport launched in June 2016 as a sports-news outlet with frequent updates, magazines and links to RMC's football and sports programming. BFM Paris launched in November 2016 with a local-news, traffic, weather, culture and events remit. BFM TV also developed its digital presence. The bfmtv.com website, relaunched in 2009, added articles, video and selected programme access to the existing live-streaming proposition. Ownership evolved with the broader consolidation of French commercial media. NextRadioTV became associated with the Altice media structure, and BFM TV operated within the Altice France/RMC BFM portfolio for several years. In 2024, the RMC BFM assets were transferred to CMA CGM. BFM TV consequently became the flagship television news brand of a CMA CGM-owned RMC BFM division. It continues to operate as an active multi-platform news service in France.
- 2024
Transfer to CMA CGM ownership
[2]RMC BFM, including BFM TV, became part of CMA CGM's media activities.
- 2016
Thematic and regional expansion
[1]BFM Sport and BFM Paris launched as sports and local-news extensions.
- 2009
Digital website relaunch
[1]The online service was relaunched as bfmtv.com with articles, video and programme access.
- 2008
National audience leadership
[1]BFM TV became the most-watched French news channel as its live-news model gained traction.
- 2005
Regulatory approval and launch
[1]The CSA approved the service in May, and BFM TV began broadcasting in November.
- 2004
Television project created
[1]NextRadioTV developed BFM TV as a general-news extension of BFM Business.
Products and positioning
A high-frequency, live-first French news service positioned around immediacy, accessibility and continuous coverage of politics, business, society, emergencies and major events.
National news television · 2005
BFM TV
The flagship national channel provides rolling coverage of French and international news, politics, business, society, weather, traffic and sport. Its schedule combines live reporting and frequent news flashes with presenter-led editions, interviews, debates and specialist segments. The service is distributed through television platforms and supported by the BFM TV digital ecosystem.
Regional news television · 2016
BFM Paris
BFM Paris is a regional news service focused on the Paris area. Its subject mix includes local politics and events, traffic, weather, sport, culture and practical information, with live morning and evening programming designed for viewers in the region.
Sports news television · 2016
BFM Sport
BFM Sport was launched as a dedicated sports-news channel within the RMC BFM portfolio. It used frequent short updates and magazine programming, including football and broader sports discussion connected with RMC's radio and sports operations.
Digital news service · 2009
bfmtv.com
The BFM TV website extends the television brand through written reporting, video, live access and selected programme material. It allows the service to reach audiences outside linear television and supports mobile and connected-device consumption.
Brand decisions
2024
Change of controlling media groupM&ABackground
The RMC BFM assets were transferred from the Altice structure to CMA CGM as part of a wider media-ownership transaction.
Action taken
BFM TV became part of the CMA CGM-owned RMC BFM division.
Aftermath
The channel continued operating as the flagship television news property of RMC BFM under its new owner.
2016
Expansion into sports and regional newsProduct launchBackground
RMC BFM sought to broaden its television portfolio beyond the national general-news channel.
Action taken
It launched BFM Sport and BFM Paris as thematic and geographically focused extensions.
Aftermath
The launches expanded the BFM brand architecture, although the subsequent status of BFM Sport is not established by the supplied sources.
2008
Commitment to continuous live newsStrategyBackground
After several years of schedule experimentation, BFM TV sought to distinguish itself from competitors through a more consistently live, reactive format.
Action taken
The channel reorganized its morning, daytime and evening blocks, increased presenter-led rolling coverage and promoted itself as France's leading news channel.
Aftermath
The strategy supported strong audience growth and helped establish BFM TV as the leading French all-news television brand.
Sources3 sources
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