Newen Studios, a French media group wholly owned by TF1, is entering a new era in which theatrical movies and the international world will play a bigger role.
After welcoming in April Pierre Branco, former country manager for Warner Bros Discovery in France, Benelux and Africa, as its new CEO in April, the company is rebranding as Studio TF1, reflecting its expanded global reach and ambition. The company, which was previously involved in distribution in cinemas via its partnership with French studio UGC, will now be fully moving into theatrical distribution starting in 2026 as part of its mandate to ramp up film production and distribution.
“In this market which is undergoing radical transformation and consolidation, we’re convinced that it’s important to emerge, to have an image that speaks for itself, a name that speaks for itself, and also to be associated with solidity, with a partner with whom we want to work, in whom we have confidence and who’s there to stay as is TF1,” said Branco in an interview with Variety, adding that the company’s new name emphasizes “the importance of production and distribution for the TF1 group as a strategic activity.”
Today, Studio TF1 boasts 50 production companies across 12 countries which are mainly TV companies, and under Branco’s new leadership, the banner will look to strengthen its presence in the film landscape, building on existing strengths across various genres and markets. In 2025, the company will be producing 3750 hours of programming, Branco said. On the distribution side, Studio TF1 has a library of 20,000 hours, including 1000 movies.
“We’re already involved in film through some of our production labels which are true gems and we’re part of TF1 which has a long legacy in French cinema,” said Branco.
“I’ve been here for nine months, and our move into theatrical and our change of name really shows the group’s ambition to assert itself, particularly internationally, and to build on this power and agility, and finally, the desire to be even more present in cinema,” Branco continued.
Studio TF1 has its roots in France and has expanded overseas in the last four years through acquisitions of companies across Europe and North America. In fact, Branco pointed out that “over half of the group’s revenues are already generated outside of France.” Going forward, Branco will aim at emphasize Studio TF1’s international reach, and “leverage the global recognition of the TF1 brand, notably in the U.S.”
Branco said the timing was ripe for Studio TF1 to solidify its standing in the French film market “which has shown resilience and growth.” He pointed out the health of the local box office where French movies are thriving alongside Hollywood blockbusters.
The company plans to double its film production by 2027, aiming for 10-15 films annually. Branco said the increase in output will involve producing films across various genres, including mainstream comedies, auteur-driven projects, and animation.
Studio TF1 already has a strong track record in producing daily soap operas, with three successful shows currently airing on TF1 and TF1+ in France: “Tomorrow is Ours” (“Demain Nous Appartient”), “Here It All Begins” (“Ici Tout Commence”), and “Plus Belle La Vie.”
Branco said these daily shows require an industrial scale of production and storytelling skills which Studio TF1 has mastered and gives the banner a competitive advantage over other companies. Studio TF1 is notably collaborating with Netflix on the streamer’s first-ever French daily soap in 2025, titled “Tout Pour La Lumiere” which will be co-broadcast on TF1 and Netflix in France.
The outfit has also been an active purveyor of TV movies, such as Christmas specials. They produce 120 TV movies annually, notably through its Canadian banner Reel One. That’s an area that Studio TF1 will continue developing through Johnson Production Group which Newen bought last summer for 2024 for 65 million euros and ranks as a big supplier of TV movies for broadcasters like TF1, Lifetime, and Hallmark, as well as various streamers. Studio TF1, whose production labels includes the news agency CAPA, will also keep making hard-hitting and event documentaries such as the timely film “Soumission Chimique” which is narrated by the daughter of rape survivor Gisele Pelicot’s daughter Caroline Darian.
The company is also is actively pursuing co-productions with international partners, rolling off from successful titles such as the Netflix series “Undercover,” which is based on a Belgian franchise, and the upcoming “The Seduction,” a new French original series for Max adapted from Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 18th century classic novel “Dangerous Liaisons,” starring Diane Kruger, Anamaria Vartolomei and Lucas Bravo.
Studio TF1’s plan to become a theatrical distributor in France starting in 2026 will give the company “more control over the crucial first window of release and strengthen its relationships with talent.”
“The goal is to distribute all of our own productions theatrically in France,” said Branco. This approach mirrors that of other industry players like Studiocanal, who produce and distribute their films.
Studio TF1 will also focus on developing intellectual property (IP) with global appeal. “This will involve greater investment in co-productions and remakes. The company’s existing distribution activities, which include handling international rights for successful French productions like “HPI” and “Jamais sans mon psy” will be crucial for this strategy.”
While Studio TF1 will operate independently and collaborate with third-party producers, there will be strategic alignments with other entities within the TF1 Group.
Branco said Studio TF1 will build on the expertise of Rodolphe Belmer, TF1 Group’s new president, who boasts an experience in both film and television, having previously led Canal+ Group.
In the future, Studio TF1 will also be collaborating with TF1 Film Production, which handles investments in movies for TF1’s television channels.
As it’s entering theatrical distribution, the editorial mandate of Studio TF1 will span various genres, Branco said, citing recent comedies like “Chasse Gardée” which sold nearly 2 million admissions in theaters, and ““Jamais Sans Mon Psy,” alongside auteur-driven projects such as the Venice-prizewinning “Playing With Fire” (“Jouer Avec Le Feu”) starring Vincent Lindon, as well as animated films. The distribution pipeline will include titles from co-productions or collaborations with third-party production companies, Branco said.
Studio TF1’s distribution network has a significant ally for in-house or third-party producers, raising gap financing on ambitious projects through co-production and pre-sales, for instance on TF1’s “Cat’s Eyes,” the reboot of the Japanese anime. “We got Amazon on board, and the European and international partners, so that the series could come to fruition and be broadcast, said Branco, who also noted that Newen sold the hit TF1 series “HPI (Haut Potentiel Intellectuel)” around the world and sold the remake to ABC. The banner also sold remake rights to its movie “Jamais sans mon psy” to Sony.
Branco is also interesting in pursuing renown IP’s and drawing upon its existing catalog of 1,000 films, which includes titles like “La Môme,” “The Name of the Rose,” and “The Wages of Fear,” the last of which was remade for Netflix in 2024.
