Mathieu Kassovitz’s 1995 breakthrough film La Haine is set to be aired on television in a new way, with French broadcaster France Television set to broadcast a stage version of La Haine, Sur Scene – Jusquichi Lien na Change as part of its 2026-2027 program.
The film adaptation was one of the titles in Paris at France Television’s annual press conference to announce its upcoming programming, which spans French fiction, live performance, international drama, and a powerful current affairs and political line-up in the run-up to the 2027 French presidential election.
Concluding her presentation, Delphine Hernot-Cunci, President of France Télévision, said she framed the new season as an expression of the broadcaster’s broader public service mission in a time of social division, political polarization and rapidly evolving viewing habits.
“With 500 films available to watch for free every year, an unparalleled live performance offering and close collaboration with 200 affiliated music and cultural events, France Télévision remains the media group that carries the furthest reach of creative freedom in every region,” said Hernot-Cunci.
“The values of public broadcasting are not the heritage we protect; they are the positive ideas we embrace,” she continued, arguing that viewers are increasingly turning to French television to offer a common national experience.
“In a society characterized by isolation, watching together means sharing the same place at the same moment. It’s an irreplaceable experience,” Arnotte-Kunch said.
Released on May 31, 1995, La Haine became one of the defining films of modern French cinema, denouncing police brutality through the story of three young men (Vincent Cassel, Hubert Koundé, and Said Taghmaoui) caught up in riots on the outskirts of Paris. More than 30 years later, this black-and-white drama remains vitally relevant in its exploration of racism at a time when the far-right party L’Assemblement Nationale is seen as the frontrunner for the next presidential election.
Announcing the new policy, France Télévision’s Creation Editorial Director Anne Holmes said the broadcaster’s Creation department strives to introduce new work to viewers and support talent by building bridges between fiction, live performance, music and festivals.
France Television also released the timely drama “Triple Peine,” written and directed by Noémie Cochet, which follows an actress who accused a prominent film director of sexual harassment in the years before the #MeToo movement.
The film, which spans several time periods, begins in Paris in 2024 as Mara prepares to testify before the French National Assembly and ultimately speak publicly about her case. Then flashback to 2000, where she wins a starring role in a film by a prominent director, files a sexual harassment complaint in 2001, and becomes embroiled in a violent legal and personal battle. Produced by Storia Television, a Media One company, in association with Rita Productions, “Triple Pain” stars Fleur Geoffrier, Olivier Gourmet, Justine Blanchard, Mélanie Robert, Laura Creton and Julie Moulier.
“Triple Payne” © Storia Television / France Télévisions
Among the broadcaster’s upcoming action series is “Stunts,” a four-part thriller from UGC-owned Next Episode. The series follows Ada, an impulsive police officer and former urban acrobatic expert who investigates a gang of stunt performers who specialize in stealing high-end cargo from speeding trucks. After a gang accidentally kills Ada’s twin brother, a police officer, Ada infiltrates a stunt school where thieves train without informing her superiors. Produced and directed by Erwan Marinopoulos and co-written with Celeste Ballin, Stunts also stars Jeanne Goursault, Sabrina Ouazani, Anne Parillaud, Yann Gaëlle and Vincent Hénène.
“Stunts” (Courtesy of France Television)
France Television also announced L’Autre Fille, a six-part supernatural drama starring Emma, a 16-year-old hockey prodigy who prepares to leave her remote village in the Alps to join a prestigious team in Zurich. Her plans are derailed when a mysterious liquid begins to flow from her belly button, transforming her into a perfect but uncontrollable duplicate of herself. Emma must uncover who is responsible for her mutant powers while trying to hide the Kagemusha’s unpredictable appearance.
The series was written by David Elkaim, Anne Finesilver, and Vincent Poimiro in collaboration with Emmanuel Fournier-Lorenz and Pascaline Sorde, and directed by Sophie Jarvis and Finesilver. Lilith Glasmag co-stars with Ciline Boutella, Luna Desmours and Yannick Choirat.
France Television also released Code Rouge, a six-part thriller from British producer Bad Wolf. The series, created and written by Peter A. Dowling and directed by Kieron Hawkes, follows Dr. Matthew Nolan, a British national who narrowly escapes death during an attempted murder while attending a seminar in China. Upon his return to the UK, he was arrested and immediately extradited to Beijing under the supervision of London police officer Hana Li. The flight home became increasingly dangerous, with repeated attempts on Nolan’s life during the eight-hour journey. The cast includes Jin Lucy, Richard Armitage, Leslie Sharp, Gemma Moore, Dan Lee, Cash Holland, and Tai Ying Chan.
Commenting on the broadcaster’s international acquisition strategy, Manuel Hardui, editorial director of films and international series at France Télévision, said the group prioritizes a distinctive editorial identity over quantity.
“We’re not trying to build up an international series,” Aldui said. “We look for programs that offer true editorial differentiation and extend our public service mission. They meet the same criteria as our films: specificity, emotion, and reassurance.”
Mr. Alduy added that France Télévision’s streaming platform must go beyond simply listing titles: it must create viewing paths, build collections, establish connections between films and series, and lead viewers to new discoveries through formats adapted to digital viewing habits.
“Amidst the continuous noise of the streaming flow, certain works still push forward like a persistent light,” he said. “Our role is to make them visible and pave the way for the public.”
In addition to its entertainment lineup, France Television outlined a wide range of political and current affairs programming, including new shows and expanded investigations.
France Télévision’s news director Philippe Kolbet said the public broadcaster wanted to provide a democratic shared space during the presidential campaign, rather than telling voters what to think.
“Our role is not to tell the French what to think, but to give them the means to choose,” Kolbe said. “It means bringing life to debates, questioning political programs, confronting ideas and giving due respect to facts, but also listening to the questions, doubts, anger and expectations of the French people.”
France 2 will bring back the cult political interview show L’Heure de vérité in prime time, hosted by Caroline Roux alongside a panel of political commentators.
France Television is also ramping up its investigative programming and plans to step up its efforts to reach younger news consumers through social media and digital-first programming. Enension, presented by YouTuber HugoDécrypte, will publish reports focused on young people around the world, while Elise Rousset will continue her interview series Dérush, featuring the biggest names on social platforms.
The broadcaster said its news content generated more than 5 billion video views on social platforms during the season, with news accounts reaching more than 25 million followers.
Kolbe said the station’s editorial priorities remain reporting and fact-checking amid rising mistrust, disinformation and political polarization.
“Facts before commentary. Field before studio. Information before opinion,” he said. “The difference in the public service lies in its promise to address all French people. The public service does not belong to any camp. It does not belong to any political party. It belongs to the French people,” he continued.
The expansive plans come as French television faces increasing financial pressure and uncertainty over future state funding.
Elnotte Kunsi said the group had already absorbed €110 million in funding cuts over the past two years. She argued that the unpredictable nature of the cuts made it difficult to plan ahead and forced broadcasters to make difficult programming decisions.
France Television saved more than 80 million euros in programming for the new season, including sports spending, of which around 20 million euros affected creative programming.
She added that the broadcaster could already expect to save at least another €20 million in 2027.
Despite the economic headwinds, she insisted that France Television’s fundamental role will remain, even as platforms and distribution models continue to evolve.
“Screens are changing and viewing habits are changing, probably much faster than we can imagine,” Arnotte Kunci said. “But what the French fundamentally expect from us has not changed.”
