TiJi

TiJi is a French television channel dedicated to preschool audiences, particularly children between approximately three and six years old. Launched in 2000, it was presented as the first channel in France to specialize specifically in programming for preschool-aged viewers. Its positioning distinguishes it from broader children’s channels by concentrating on early-childhood entertainment and age-appropriate programming rather than serving the full children’s and adolescent market. At launch, TiJi broadcast from 5:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. The channel’s early distribution was closely associated with cable and satellite television, including Canalsat. Its initial audience and subscriber development exceeded the original expectations reported for its first five years: by June 2002, TiJi was available to approximately two million subscribers, compared with an initial five-year target of 1.5 million. Between December 2002 and June 2003, the channel recorded a substantial increase in its share of the preschool audience, reaching a 0.8% total audience share. During the same period, research cited for cable- and satellite-equipped households indicated that 43% of children aged four to ten had begun watching TiJi. TiJi subsequently expanded the hours during which its signal was available. In 2008, its broadcast schedule was extended to midnight, a change described as facilitating viewing for international audiences. French viewers continued to receive an evening sign-off sequence at 9:00 p.m., followed by a notice for parents, while programming continued until the later overall close for international distribution. By March 2009, TiJi was reported to be among France’s five leading thematic channels, with a 0.6% audience share, and was the second most popular channel among children aged four to ten after Canal J, with a 4% share in that demographic. The brand also developed an international distribution footprint. A Russian-language feed launched in 2009, carrying programming dubbed into Russian. A Kazakh audio track was added to that Russian feed on 31 January 2022, with most programs receiving voice-over treatment for viewers in Kazakhstan. TiJi has also been distributed in French in Ukraine and, for a period, in Portugal through the NOS platform. The Portuguese distribution ended on 5 November 2020. In France, TiJi’s distribution model changed during the 2010s as the channel began joining internet-service-provider television packages, reducing its previous exclusivity with Canalsat. In October 2016, the MyJ service launched on Bouygues Telecom and Orange. MyJ offered a customizable youth channel combining TiJi and Canal J content according to a profile’s age and viewing preferences. The service was later discontinued and replaced in the relevant youth offering by Gulli Max. TiJi’s corporate ownership changed as Groupe M6 entered negotiations in February 2019 to acquire Lagardère Active’s television division, which included TiJi, Gulli, and Canal J. Groupe M6 is the current owner identified for the channel. TiJi also received a visual and audio refresh on 21 October 2019: the cloud element of its logo was retained, while other visual details, the overall look, and the sound jingle were modified. The channel remains a specialized preschool television brand within the Groupe M6 portfolio, with distribution in French and selected localized feeds and audio tracks outside France.

TiJi was launched in France in 2000 as a television channel designed specifically for preschool-aged children. Its creation established a distinct programming proposition within the French television market: instead of addressing children generally, the service concentrated on viewers approximately three to six years old. At the time of launch, TiJi operated from the early morning until 9:00 p.m., providing a dedicated schedule for young children and their families. The channel expanded rapidly during its first years. By June 2002, it was reported to be available to around two million subscribers, exceeding the initial five-year objective of 1.5 million subscribers. Audience development also accelerated between December 2002 and June 2003. TiJi’s share of the preschool audience rose by 60% during that period and reached a 0.8% total audience share. In cable- and satellite-equipped homes, 43% of children aged four to ten were reported to have started watching the channel between 2002 and 2003. TiJi adjusted its operating hours in 2008 by extending the broadcast schedule to midnight. The change supported the channel’s international distribution, although French viewers continued to see a 9:00 p.m. sign-off bumper and a notice intended for parents. The signal then continued for international viewers before closing at midnight. In March 2009, TiJi was reported to rank among France’s five leading thematic channels, with a 0.6% audience share. It was also reported as the second most popular channel among four- to ten-year-olds, behind Canal J, with a 4% share in that group. Internationalization became an important part of TiJi’s distribution history. A Russian feed launched in 2009 and carried the channel’s programs in Russian. The brand was later distributed in French, Russian, Ukrainian, and Kazakh forms or audio configurations. On 31 January 2022, a Kazakh audio track was added to the Russian feed, with voice-over treatment for most programs for audiences in Kazakhstan. TiJi was also available in Portugal through NOS until 5 November 2020. The French distribution model evolved during the 2010s. In 2016, TiJi began joining television packages offered by internet service providers, ending its former exclusivity with Canalsat. In October of that year, Bouygues Telecom and Orange introduced MyJ, a customizable service combining TiJi and Canal J material and adapting the available content to a profile’s age and preferences. MyJ was subsequently abandoned in favor of Gulli Max, which became part of the same broader youth-oriented offer. Ownership and portfolio context changed in 2019. On 1 February, Groupe M6 entered negotiations with Lagardère Active to acquire its television division, a transaction covering TiJi as well as Gulli and Canal J. Groupe M6 is identified as TiJi’s owner. Later that year, on 21 October, TiJi introduced a visual and sonic refresh. The cloud component of the logo remained, while other design elements, the channel’s overall look, and its sound jingle were changed. TiJi’s history is therefore defined by specialization, early pay-television growth, international localization, and gradual integration into wider operator and media-group portfolios. The brand continues to operate as a preschool television service associated with Groupe M6, with programming and distribution adapted for French and selected international audiences.

• 2022

  Kazakh audio track is added

  [1]TiJien.wikipedia.org

  The Russian feed receives a Kazakh audio track, including voice-over access for most programs.

• 2020

  Portuguese NOS distribution ends

  [1]TiJien.wikipedia.org

  TiJi’s French channel is withdrawn from the NOS platform in Portugal on 5 November.

• 2019

  Groupe M6 enters acquisition negotiations

  [1]TiJien.wikipedia.org

  Groupe M6 begins negotiations to acquire Lagardère Active’s television division, including TiJi.

• 2019

  Brand identity is refreshed

  [1]TiJien.wikipedia.org

  TiJi updates its visual system and sound jingle while retaining the cloud motif in its logo.

• 2016

  Distribution expands through ISPs and MyJ

  [1]TiJien.wikipedia.org

  TiJi begins joining internet-service-provider television offers, and MyJ launches on Bouygues Telecom and Orange with customizable TiJi and Canal J content.

• 2009

  Russian feed launches

  [1]TiJien.wikipedia.org

  A Russian-language version of TiJi begins broadcasting dubbed programming.

• 2008

  Broadcast hours extend to midnight

  [1]TiJien.wikipedia.org

  TiJi extends its daily signal to midnight to support international viewing, while retaining an earlier French sign-off sequence.

• 2003

  Preschool audience share increases

  [1]TiJien.wikipedia.org

  Audience measurements for the period from December 2002 to June 2003 show a 60% increase in TiJi’s preschool audience share.

• 2002

  Subscriber availability reaches approximately two million

  [1]TiJien.wikipedia.org

  By June, TiJi is reported to be available to about two million subscribers, ahead of its initial five-year target.

• 2000

  TiJi launches in France

  [1]TiJien.wikipedia.org

  TiJi begins broadcasting as France’s first television channel dedicated specifically to preschool-aged children.

Preschool-focused television entertainment and age-appropriate programming for children approximately three to six years old, distributed through French and international pay-television platforms.

• Preschool television channel · 2000

  TiJi French channel

  The core French-language TiJi service, focused on television entertainment and programming for preschool-aged children, especially viewers between approximately three and six. It is distributed through pay-television and operator packages and forms the foundation of the brand’s French and international presence.

• Localized television feed · 2009

  TiJi Russian feed

  A Russian-language version of TiJi launched in 2009. It carries the channel’s programming in Russian and has served as a platform for further localization, including the later addition of a Kazakh audio track.

• Customizable children’s television service · 2016

  MyJ

  MyJ was a customizable youth television service launched on Bouygues Telecom and Orange in October 2016. It combined TiJi and Canal J content and was intended to adapt viewing selections to a profile’s age and preferences. The service was later discontinued and replaced within the relevant youth offering by Gulli Max.

• 2019TiJi visual and audio identity refresh

  France · International distribution markets

  TiJi introduced a refreshed look and sound on 21 October 2019. The cloud motif in the logo was retained, while other visual elements and the channel jingle were revised.

  Outcome. The update refreshed the channel’s on-air identity without removing its recognizable cloud-based logo element.

  Source

• 2022

  Add Kazakh audio to the Russian feedProduct launch

  Background

  TiJi’s Russian service also reached audiences in Kazakhstan and required a localized audio option.

  Action taken

  A Kazakh audio track was added on 31 January 2022, providing voice-over for most programs.

  Aftermath

  The addition expanded the language accessibility of the international feed without creating a separately identified channel.

  Source

• 2019

  Groupe M6 negotiates acquisition of Lagardère Active television assetsM&A

  Background

  Lagardère Active’s television division included TiJi, Gulli, and Canal J.

  Action taken

  Groupe M6 entered negotiations on 1 February 2019 to acquire the division.

  Aftermath

  Groupe M6 is identified as TiJi’s current owner and corporate group.

  Source

• 2016

  Expand beyond Canalsat exclusivityStrategy

  Background

  TiJi’s French distribution had previously been associated with Canalsat, while television viewing was increasingly being bundled by internet-service providers.

  Action taken

  The channel began joining ISP offers. MyJ was launched with TiJi and Canal J content on Bouygues Telecom and Orange.

  Aftermath

  MyJ was later abandoned in favor of Gulli Max, while TiJi continued to be distributed through broader operator packages.

  Source

• 2009

  Launch a Russian-language feedProduct launch

  Background

  TiJi pursued international distribution by adapting its preschool programming for Russian-speaking audiences.

  Action taken

  A Russian feed was launched with programming dubbed into Russian.

  Aftermath

  The Russian service later supported a Kazakh audio option added in 2022.

  Source

• 2008

  Extend broadcast availability to midnightStrategy

  Background

  TiJi was developing distribution beyond its French core market and needed operating hours suitable for international viewers.

  Action taken

  The channel extended its broadcast schedule from an earlier closing time to midnight, while maintaining a 9:00 p.m. sign-off message for French viewers.

  Aftermath

  The longer schedule supported international distribution and became part of the channel’s operating model.

  Source

1. 1TiJien.wikipedia.org
2. 2TiJi official websitetiji.fr