France 2

France 2 is a French free-to-air television channel operating in the generalist public broadcasting format. The primary language of broadcasting is French. The channel was launched on December 21, 1963, under the name RTF Télévision 2, and has undergone several name changes throughout its history: it became La Deuxième Chaîne in 1964, then Antenne 2 in 1975, before adopting its current name, France 2, on September 7, 1992. The channel is owned and operated by France Télévisions, the state-owned public broadcaster, and is headquartered in Paris, France. France 2 is the largest French public television network and is available throughout France and internationally.

On air, France 2 features a wide range of programming that reflects its identity as a generalist channel. The schedule includes news bulletins, drama series, game shows, talk shows, documentaries, films, sports coverage, and entertainment programs. Flagship news programs include the daily evening news bulletin Journal de 20 heures, which is one of the most-watched news programs in France, as well as the lunchtime Journal de 13 heures. The channel also produces popular current affairs magazines such as Envoyé Spécial, an investigative journalism program, and Complément d\'Enquête. Entertainment programming includes long-running game shows like Fort Boyard and N\'oubliez pas les paroles, as well as talk shows and reality competition formats. Drama series produced for the channel range from crime procedurals to historical dramas and literary adaptations.

Sports coverage is a significant part of France 2\'s programming, with the channel holding broadcast rights for major sporting events including the Tour de France cycling race, the Roland-Garros tennis tournament, and various international football competitions. The channel also broadcasts films, both French and international, often in prime-time slots, as well as documentary series covering topics from history and science to nature and society. Children\'s programming is broadcast in the late afternoon and on weekend mornings. The channel also participates in the Franco-German cultural channel Arte through France Télévisions\' partnership.

France 2 has undergone significant technological evolution throughout its history. On October 1, 1967, at 14:15 CET, the channel became the first color television channel in France, switching from black and white to color using the SECAM system. On April 7, 2008, all programs on France 2 began broadcasting in 16:9 widescreen format. On January 23, 2024, France Télévisions launched a dedicated France 2 Ultra High Definition channel on TNT channel 52, making it the first French broadcaster to introduce a UHD channel on digital terrestrial television.

France 2 is available throughout France via digital terrestrial television on channel 2, as well as on cable, satellite, and IPTV platforms. The channel broadcasts in standard definition, high definition, and ultra high definition formats. Viewers can watch online the live broadcast of France 2 through the official France Télévisions website and the France.tv mobile application. Online television of France 2 also provides access to catch-up content and on-demand programs, allowing viewers to watch missed episodes and discover the channel\'s extensive program library.

France 2 strives to fulfill its public service mission by offering a diverse and high-quality program lineup that serves the entire French population. The mission of the channel is to inform, educate, and entertain, while promoting French culture, creativity, and values. As a generalist public channel, France 2 aims to offer something for everyone, from news and current affairs to sports, entertainment, and cultural programming. The channel competes with private broadcasters such as TF1 and M6 while maintaining its public service obligations. The channel\'s slogan has historically been France 2, à l\'image de la vie (France 2, in the image of life). Thanks to modern digital platforms and satellite technology, France 2 provides the opportunity to watch online the live broadcast on any device - from smartphones to Smart TVs - ensuring that French-speaking audiences across France, Europe, and around the world can access its generalist programming wherever they are.