Studio TF1 Scores Global Hits with Sports Doc and Drama

Studio TF1 has recently achieved considerable success both domestically and internationally with two distinct productions. The sports documentary "Leon Marchand: Beyond Gold," focusing on the French Olympic swimming champion, has set new viewing records for France TV. The three-part series offered an intimate look at Marchand's life in the year following his Olympic victories, exploring his identity, ambition, and adjustment to sudden fame while pursuing engineering studies at age 22.

This documentary premiered on the france.tv platform in July, drawing an average of 2.3 million viewers per episode. Its subsequent broadcast on France 2 reached 1.6 million viewers, with an additional 13 million views generated across social media platforms, including over 1 million on YouTube. This performance establishes an all-time record for a documentary on France TV.

In the realm of scripted content, Studio TF1's mystery drama "Surface" has also garnered widespread acclaim and international sales. Premiering at Canneseries last year, the show became a significant hit on France TV's streaming service. Based on a novel by Olivier Norek, "Surface" has been sold to various international broadcasters and platforms, including MHz Choice in the U.S., the BBC in the U.K., and AMC Global Media in Spain.

The six-part series centers on Parisian police captain Noémie Chastain, who investigates a 20-year-old missing person case in a remote town after a child's remains are discovered. As she delves into the investigation, Chastain uncovers dark secrets with personal repercussions, all while recovering from a traumatic facial injury.