Canal+ has launched CNews Prime, a second rolling news service built as a live-only companion channel to CNews and distributed exclusively via streaming and IP TV platforms.
The new outlet went live in late November and is designed as a “mirror” service to CNews, carrying long-form live coverage of institutional and political events such as full National Assembly sessions, government questions, press conferences, major speeches and international summits. Unlike the main channel, CNews Prime runs with no studio debates or editorial commentary, focusing instead on uninterrupted raw feeds.
The aim is to free up the CNews schedule for its flagship talk shows and opinion-led formats, while offering viewers a separate stream for extended live events that previously disrupted the linear schedule.
CNews Prime is not broadcast on digital terrestrial television. Canal+ is positioning it as a 100% OTT service available via myCANAL, CNews and Canal+ apps, and on the IP TV boxes of the main French operators. At launch it is offered free on Freebox (channel 159), SFR (98), Orange (226), Bouygues Telecom (238) and on Canal+ (178).
CNews itself remains the group’s primary news channel, carried free-to-air on French DTT. Following a renumbering of the TNT line-up in June 2025, CNews moved from channel 16 to channel 14 but continues to broadcast nationally over-the-air alongside distribution on cable, satellite and IP.
