France Télévisions Breaks Viewership Records and Innovates with Digital Streaming at Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

France Télévisions has achieved unprecedented media success during the first 14 days of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, reaching 52 million French viewers and surpassing the previous winter games record of 51.3 million set in Turin 2006. The peak audience of 8 million tuned in for the opening ceremony on February 6, marking a major milestone in winter sports broadcasting in France.

The broadcaster also reported significant viewership spikes during major events, including 6 million watching ice dancers Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron on February 11, 5.8 million for the French mixed relay biathlon gold medal victory on February 8, and 5.4 million for the women's biathlon pursuit on February 15.

Beyond traditional broadcasts, France Télévisions launched a dedicated digital sports channel, France TV Sport, focused on engaging younger audiences through a Twitch-inspired approach. Operating 24/7 since February 4, the channel has attracted 10 million visitors by blending streamers and journalists in an interactive format featuring live chats, humor, and a less formal studio setup that resonates with the Olympic spirit.

Nicolas Vinoy, director of digital offerings at France TV, highlighted the channel's ability to showcase a wider range of sports segments typically absent from mainstream coverage due to audience constraints. However, the fusion of traditional journalism and live streaming culture presents challenges, such as managing viewer interaction and adapting to stricter live TV timing. Prominent streamers like Théo Reunbot and Aymeric Milan lead the programming with an engaging, light-hearted style that appeals to digital natives.

Despite operating under scrutiny regarding public broadcasting funding, Vinoy emphasized that France TV Sport’s costs remain stable as teams simply work differently to deliver extensive content, planning over 2,000 hours of live programming in 2026. This digital venture represents a strategic effort to bridge conventional television and online platforms, potentially redefining sports broadcasting in France.

Stéphane Sitbon-Gomez, France Télévisions' number two executive, described this media achievement as historic, noting that while the 2026 Winter Games audience is a record for winter Olympics, they expect even higher figures for the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, estimated at 60 million viewers. This success underscores France Télévisions’ dominant role in delivering major sporting events and connecting audiences across multiple platforms.