TFOU
| Company type | Programming segment |
|---|---|
| Industry | Children's television |
| Predecessor | TF! Jeunesse |
| Founded | January 1, 2007 |
| Headquarters | France |
Area served | France |
| Parent | TF1 Group |
TFOU () is a French morning children's programming segment broadcast on TF1 and TFX, inaugurated on 1 January 2007 as the successor to TF! Jeunesse. It functions as the dedicated children's brand for TF1 and manages the subscription-based streaming service TFOU MAX. The brand originated as TF1’s children-focused website in 2000, followed by a television channel from 2003 until 2008, before transitioning into a programming block in 2007. Starting in 2024, the block’s weekday schedule is divided between TF1 and TFX, while weekend airings occur exclusively on TF1.
TF! Jeunesse
TF! Jeunesse launched on TF1 on 1 September 1997, taking over from Club Dorothée after a decade-long run, with an initial broadcast featuring an episode of Beetleborgs. The concept was developed by Dominique Poussier, then overseeing children's programming at TF1, with the intention of differentiating it from its predecessor, which faced criticism over violent content. The new approach emphasized predominantly French productions and eliminated anime series. Prior to this, Poussier had created Salut les Toons, a morning show starring CGI-animated mice that aired from 1996 to 2000. TF! Jeunesse was designed to rejuvenate TF1’s declining children’s viewership amid strong competition from programs such as Les Minikeums on France 3.
Drawing inspiration from ITV’s CITV, Poussier proposed a format that excluded animation and presenters during the period when La Planète de Donkey Kong was airing on France 2. The program’s signature chant “T. F. Ouais !” was performed by Bruno Choël, notable for dubbing actors like Johnny Depp and Ewan McGregor. In contrast to its predecessor, both TF! and later TFOU are produced internally through TF1’s Protécréa division.
The Pokémon Phenomenon
In addition to European content, TF1 capitalized on partnerships with Nickelodeon—broadcasting shows like Hey Arnold!—and had been airing the Power Rangers franchise in France since 1993. Nevertheless, the arrival of Pokémon in 2000 dramatically increased TF1’s audience figures, matching the popularity once held by Club Dorothée. This surge paved the way for Digimon to quickly gain popularity as well.
While later series had a more modest impact, titles such as Franklin, Jimmy Neutron, Totally Spies!, and Sonic Underground played key roles in sustaining TF1’s ratings and competing with shows like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Sakura on M6.
Although the Pokémon franchise moved to Gulli in 2006, TF1 continued distributing DVDs and rebroadcasted episodes between 2009 and 2011. Presently, TFOU MAX offers multiple seasons of the series.
TFOU: Expansion on the Internet and as a TV channel
The launch of tfou.fr in 2000 marked TF1’s initial venture into children’s digital content, soon followed by the establishment of the TFOU TV channel aimed at strengthening its youth programming within the TPS satellite package, where Groupe TF1 held significant shares. Targeting an older youth demographic, TFOU began broadcasting on 23 April 2003 but temporarily halted due to licensing complications before resuming on 28 May after receiving approval from the CSA.
On 1 January 2007, the existing TF! programming block was rebranded as TFOU. Subsequently, on 28 August 2007, TFOU adopted a refreshed logo and was renamed TFOU TV. The channel ceased operations on 28 February 2008, transitioning into an online TV platform; its former broadcast slot was then occupied by Foot School TV.
2024 Scheduling and Channel Adjustments
Beginning on 8 January 2024, TF1 scaled back the weekday TFOU lineup to make way for the morning program Bonjour !, presented by Bruce Toussaint. On weekdays, the show airs on TF1 from 6 a.m. until 7 a.m., then continues on TFX from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., with an extended slot until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. This restructuring permits extended TFOU broadcasting during certain public holidays. The weekend cartoon segments remain consistent on TF1, airing Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.