Goodbye Big Budgets? France Télévisions Bets on High-Impact Series and a New Sci-Fi Thriller

Amid budget pressures, French broadcaster France Télévisions has sharpened its international fiction strategy, focusing on series with compelling concepts and distinctive storytelling. This is evident in projects like Mathieu Missoffe's new sci-fi thriller "Passe Muraille" and "Free Pass" from the producers of "The Kissing Booth." The network aims to focus on projects that spark conversation and attract new audiences, according to Mourad Koufan, head of international fiction and young adults at France Télévisions, at the Series Mania Festival in Lille.

France Télévisions' strategy is based on two fundamental pillars: contemporary series that reflect the current world and productions with solid concepts or based on well-known intellectual properties. This shift responds to a significant decrease in budgets, not only in France but throughout Europe, which has led the broadcaster to prioritize projects with lower production budgets.

"Passe Muraille" is a six-part thriller directed by Kasia Adamik, which follows Sam Mansouri, a disillusioned telemarketer who wakes up after an alcohol-fueled blackout with the ability to walk through walls. The series, produced by Banijay's Marathon Studio with France Télévisions, stars Janis Abrikh, Noémie Schmidt, Samir Boitard, Malik Zidi, and Mylène Jampanoï. The broadcaster is seeking projects that have a maximum budget of between €2 million and €2.5 million per episode, compared to the £2 million to £4 million per episode invested in high-end series.

On the other hand, "Free Pass" revolves around a French couple, Céline and Eric, who win the trip of a lifetime on a game show and discover that the only other guests are a powerful Hollywood couple, Shonda and Hank, who are looking for a vacation romance. The series was created by Max Benitz and produced by iGeneration Studios ("The Kissing Booth") in the UK, Summertime in France, as well as Michael Shyjka and Max Benitz, with France Télévisions.

Mourad Koufan, head of international fiction and young adults, highlighted that France Télévisions' strategy focuses on two pillars: contemporary series that reflect the current world and productions with strong concepts or based on recognized intellectual properties. The broadcaster is seeking international alliances with other partners, from broadcasters to pay TV groups and streaming platforms, which have become more flexible in the face of similar pressures.

Koufan stated that the entire market, including broadcasters, distributors, and streaming platforms, is attentive to projects and seeking the best ways to bring them to life. The broadcaster is also increasing acquisitions of English-language series, such as "Fifteen-Love," a six-part series created by Hania Elkington ("The Innocents") and produced by ITV Studios' World Productions.

The series "Fifteen-Love" is directed by Eva Riley ("Perfect 10") and Toby MacDonald ("Old Boys"), and follows Justine Pearce, a tennis prodigy whose career is cut short by a traumatic incident. The cast includes Ella Lily Hyland, Aidan Turner, and Anna Chancellor. Additionally, high-profile series have been acquired recently, such as "King & Conqueror," created by Michael Robert Johnson and starring James Norton, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Clémence Poésy, Emily Beecham, and Eddie Marsan.

France Télévisions will present several shows at Series Mania, including the world premiere of the dystopian drama "The Best Immigrant" in the international competition. The network is seeking projects that have a maximum budget of between €2 million and €2.5 million per episode, compared to the £2 million to £4 million per episode invested in high-end series.

France Télévisions' strategy seeks to find truly strong ideas that do not necessarily require exorbitant budgets per episode to create memorable series. Koufan emphasized that the key is to prioritize projects that have a lower production budget, reflecting a change in the industry. The broadcaster is adapting to the current situation, seeking to optimize resources without sacrificing the quality and impact of its productions.

In the past, high-end series were produced with budgets of around £2 million to £4 million per episode. Now, the broadcaster aims for projects with a maximum budget of between €2 million and €2.5 million per episode. This strategic approach allows France Télévisions to continue offering high-quality content while adapting to the financial limitations of the current market.