CNews

CNews is a French free-to-air television channel operating in the 24-hour news and opinion format. The primary language of broadcasting is French. The channel was launched on 4 November 1999 by Groupe Canal+ under the name i>Télévision and was rebranded as CNews on 27 February 2017. The channel is owned by Groupe Canal+, which is part of the media empire of billionaire Vincent Bolloré. CNews is headquartered in Paris, France, and is available on digital terrestrial television on channel 16, soon to be renumbered to channel 14.

On air, CNews features a mix of rolling news bulletins, current affairs programs, political talk shows, debates, and analysis segments. The channel provides 24-hour national and global news coverage. CNews has become known for its opinion-driven programming and its focus on topics such as immigration, security, Islam, national identity, education, and justice. The channel describes itself as a mirror of society that speaks about everyday realities without taboos. It has been characterized by critics as a conservative or right-leaning opinion channel, a label the channel disputes, preferring to describe itself as a channel of opinions.

Flagship programs on CNews include L\'Heure des Pros hosted by Pascal Praud, which is one of the channel\'s most popular shows. Face à l\'Info is hosted by Christine Kelly and features a panel of journalists and editorialists discussing current events. Le Grand Rendez-Vous is presented by Laurence Ferrari with interviews of political figures and news analysis. Le Journal de l\'Info features Sonia Mabrouk. Morandini Live is hosted by Jean-Marc Morandini. Other notable presenters include Gauthier Le Bret, Eliot Deval, Julien Nény, Yoan Usaï, Gilles-William Goldnadel, and Philippe de Villiers, who hosts a weekly program providing historical perspective on current events.

CNews has experienced remarkable audience growth since its rebranding. Starting at 0.6 percent audience share at launch, the channel grew to 3.9 percent by September 2025. In 2025, CNews became the most-watched news channel in France for the first time on a full-year basis, with 3.4 percent audience share, surpassing its long-time rival BFMTV. The channel has also become the leading channel on the TNT platform, outperforming major entertainment channels. Key moments in the channel\'s rise include the Yellow Vests movement, the arrival of Éric Zemmour as a columnist, and the COVID-19 lockdown period, which brought new viewers to the channel.

CNews has faced significant controversy throughout its history. The channel was created following a lengthy strike at i>Télé in late 2016, during which most of the editorial staff walked out in protest over planned changes to the channel\'s direction. Since then, CNews has been regularly criticized by left-wing politicians, media regulators, and press freedom organizations. The French audiovisual regulator has repeatedly sanctioned CNews for lack of rigor and honesty and for breaching pluralism rules. In September 2025, the president of France Télévisions, Delphine Ernotte, publicly labeled CNews an extreme right channel for the first time. Reporters Without Borders has accused the channel of cheating with political balance rules to favor the far right. CNews has also faced fines for specific programs, including a 100,000 euro fine for the program Morandini Live. The channel\'s management rejects these criticisms, asserting that its journalists are professionals who respect broadcasting rules and that the channel\'s success reflects public demand for a different perspective.

CNews is available throughout France via digital terrestrial television, as well as on cable, satellite, and IPTV platforms. Viewers can watch online the live broadcast of CNews through the official website at cnews.fr, which offers a 24-hour live stream. Online television of CNews is also accessible via the myCanal platform and through various streaming services. In November 2025, the channel launched a streaming spin-off service called CNews Prime, available on internet boxes and online. CNews broadcasts in 1080i high definition, downscaled to 576i for standard definition feeds.

CNews strives to be a leading voice in French media, offering an alternative to what its management describes as the dominant left-leaning consensus of other news outlets. The mission of the channel is to provide a platform for diverse opinions, to speak about the realities of French society without taboos, and to serve as a lighthouse for viewers who feel unrepresented by other media. The channel is part of the Canal+ Group\'s portfolio of free-to-air channels, which also includes Canal+, C8, and CStar. Thanks to modern digital platforms, CNews 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 news and opinion programming wherever they are.