Paris Premiere is to be available via the TPS digital bouquet from February as well as on Canalsatellite. Paris Premiere is a 24 hour channel of programming on Paris culture, with a varied programming of films, events and shows including international films and programmes subtitled and undubbed and 500 hours a year of own produced programmes and co-productions as well as transmissions of theatre performances. It is one of the oldest thematic channels in France, originally set up in 1986 to provide programming for the fledgling cable industry. When Canalsatellite was launched it had exclusive satellite carriage of the channel. The exclusive contract ended in January 2000.

The move adds 800,000 new subscribers to Paris Premiere, bringing its total cable and satellite subscribers to 3.5 million, making it one of the top three thematic channels in France. The channel reached the break even point last year. It is owned 53.85 per cent by Lyonnaise Communication, 15 per cent by Canal Plus, 15.99 per cent by Groupe Marie Claire, 10.66 per cent by M6 Thematique and 4.5 per cent by Paris Cable. It is now looking at ways of developing its international presence, with co-productions and international carriage.