Télé-Loisirs

Télé-Loisirs first appeared on French newsstands on March 8, 1986, as a weekly TV magazine under the Prisma Media group. From the start, it positioned itself as a friendly, practical guide for viewers who wanted more than just program grids. Each issue mixes comprehensive TV schedules with celebrity interviews, gossip columns, and lifestyle features. The magazine's tone is lighter and more modern than its sister publication Télé Z, aiming at a younger, female-skewing audience.

In May 2021, Vivendi, the media conglomerate controlled by Vincent Bolloré, acquired Télé-Loisirs from Prisma Media. The brand now operates under the Louis Hachette Group, formed in 2024 to consolidate Vivendi's publishing assets. This ownership shift has brought controversy: some critics accuse the magazine of softening its coverage of Vivendi's other properties, like Canal+ and CNews, and pushing a more conservative editorial line. In 2023, an article about a minor celebrity's private life sparked backlash over privacy invasion.

Digital growth has been a bright spot. The website programme-tv.net offers real-time TV schedules, streaming guides for replay services, quizzes, and horoscopes. In 2024, the site introduced an AI-powered recommendation tool that suggests shows based on a user's viewing history. The free mobile app, available on iOS and Android, lets users set personalized reminders for their favorite programs. Despite a 7% drop in print circulation in 2024, digital traffic rose 15%, driven largely by streaming guide content as cord-cutters seek help navigating Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+.[edit]