# Molotov TV

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Molotov_TV
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Molotov_TV.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molotov_TV
> Source revision: 1287785117
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Short description|French streaming television service}}
{{Other uses|Molotov (disambiguation){{!}}Molotov}}
{{Infobox company
| founded = {{start date|2016|07|11}}
| founder = [Jean-David Blanc](/source/Jean-David_Blanc)<br>[Pierre Lescure](/source/Pierre_Lescure)
| industry = [streaming television](/source/streaming_television)
| key_people = Jean-David Blanc (President & CEO)<br>Grégory Samak (general manager)
| parent = [FuboTV](/source/FuboTV)
| hq_location_city = Paris
| hq_location_country = France
| website = {{URL|molotov.tv}}
}}

'''Molotov TV''', stylised as '''Molotov.TV''' or simply '''Molotov''', is a French [streaming television](/source/streaming_television) distribution service launched on 11 July 2016.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Dillet |first1=Romain |date=11 July 2016 |title=Molotov is now available in France with a freemium model |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/11/molotov-is-now-available-in-france-with-a-freemium-model/ |journal=[TechCrunch](/source/TechCrunch) |access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref> Founded by [Jean-David Blanc](/source/Jean-David_Blanc) (founder of [AlloCiné](/source/AlloCin%C3%A9)) and [Pierre Lescure](/source/Pierre_Lescure) (former [chairman](/source/Chairperson) of [Canal+](/source/Canal%2B_(French_TV_channel))), the service offers access to TV channels and [catchup programming](/source/Video_on_demand) without any [hardware](/source/Electronic_hardware) other than an Internet access. It's today one of France's main TV distribution services, now owned by American streaming company [FuboTV](/source/FuboTV).

== Offer ==

Molotov's mission is to change the way television is consumed, allowing viewers to watch it in all its forms with a single interface: [direct](/source/Live_television), [catch-up](/source/Video_on_demand) and, in the pay version, recording of favourite programmes in Molotov's [cloud](/source/cloud_computing) for later viewing in [streaming](/source/Streaming_media) and the possibility of downloading for offline viewing.

Molotov makes it possible to watch television over the Internet, using the [over-the-top media service](/source/over-the-top_media_service) principle by being accessible free of charge with a French [IP address](/source/IP_address) in its basic package and from the twenty-seven countries of the European Union, [Iceland](/source/Iceland), [Norway](/source/Norway) and [Liechtenstein](/source/Liechtenstein). By subscribing from France to the ''Molotov Extra'' option, the service is available on all screens, from [mobile](/source/mobile_phone) to [smart TV](/source/smart_TV), including [iOS](/source/iOS) and [Android](/source/Android_(operating_system)) devices. Among other features, Molotov also allows users to go back to the beginning or any point in time of a programme broadcast live, record it in the cloud or follow a personality to be alerted when programmes linked to him or her are broadcast.

This is followed by a range of no-obligation, pay-as-you-go options: access to up to 164 channels in total, 150 hours of recording in the cloud that can be viewed in [streaming](/source/Streaming_media), downloading of these programs for offline viewing, simultaneous broadcasting to four screens [Full HD](/source/1080p) and [4K](/source/Ultra-high-definition_television), and access from all European Union countries, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein for French residents who subscribe to the ''Molotov Plus'' option. With the Filmo option, more than 1,000 cinema titles are available on [VOD](/source/Video_on_demand).

The possibility of accessing TV channel programmes on any terminal connected to the Internet could augur a challenge to the ''[triple play](/source/Triple_play_(telecommunications))'' model based essentially in France on the [Internet box](/source/Residential_gateway) of [telephone companies](/source/Telephone_company).<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |title=Molotov débarque sous Linux et montre aux chaînes et FAI les limites de leur modèle |url=https://next.ink/13191/100700-molotov-debarque-sous-linux-et-montre-aux-chaines-et-fai-limites-leur-modele/ |journal=Next |date=20 July 2016 |access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref>

== History ==

On 11 July 2016, Molotov was officially launched at [WWDC](/source/Worldwide_Developers_Conference) by [Apple](/source/Apple_Inc.) in [Cupertino](/source/Cupertino%2C_California).<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |title=Lancement de Molotov, la plateforme qui veut "révolutionner" la TV |url=https://www.latribune.fr/technos-medias/medias/lancement-de-molotov-la-plateforme-qui-veut-revolutionner-la-tv-585802.html |journal=[La Tribune](/source/La_Tribune) |date=11 July 2016 |access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref> The service was then immediately seen by the industry as the future of television, innovating with its [interface](/source/Interface_(computing)) and ease of navigation through television programmes.<ref name=techcrunch>{{Cite journal |title=Molotov is defining the future of TV |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/04/15/molotov-is-defining-the-future-of-tv/ |journal=[TechCrunch](/source/TechCrunch) |date=15 April 2016 |access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref> On 7 December 2016, the [Ciné+](/source/Cin%C3%A9%2B) option was added to the Molotov offer, giving access to six premium cinema channels.<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |title=Molotov se renforce : bookmarks, application pour TV Samsung, pack Ciné+ et Chromecast |url=https://next.ink/11580/102407-molotov-se-renforce-bookmarks-application-pour-tv-samsung-pack-cine-et-chromecast/ |date=7 December 2016 |journal=Next |access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref> Also in December 2016, Molotov announced that it had completed a second fundraising round of 22 million euros,<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |title=Startups : le français Molotov lève 22 millions d'euros pour révolutionner la télévision |url=https://www.latribune.fr/technos-medias/innovation-et-start-up/startups-le-francais-molotov-leve-22-millions-d-euros-pour-revolutionner-la-television-623186.html |journal=[La Tribune](/source/La_Tribune) |date=8 December 2016 |access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref> after an initial fundraising of 10 million euros in 2014.<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |title=Ce que cache Molotov, le service qui veut révolutionner la télé |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/entreprises/culture-loisirs/ce-que-cache-molotov-le-service-qui-veut-revolutionner-la-tele_AN-201506190188.html |journal=[BFM TV](/source/BFM_TV) |date=19 July 2015 |access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref> Molotov reaches one million users in eight months.<ref name=techcrunch/> On 4 July 2017, the [OCS](/source/OCS_(TV_channel)) television channels bouquet joins Molotov.<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |title=Le service web de télé Molotov va proposer " Game of Thrones " |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/2017/07/le-service-web-de-tele-molotov-va-proposer-game-of-thrones-175330 |journal= [Les Échos](/source/Les_Echos_(France)) |access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref>

On 14 September 14, 2017, [Médiamétrie](/source/M%C3%A9diam%C3%A9trie) announced that Molotov's audiences would be counted on all screens (TV, computer, cell phone and tablet)<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |title=Médiamétrie va intégrer les audiences de Molotov dans sa mesure "4 écrans" |url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2017/09/14/2645258-mediametrie-va-integrer-audiences-molotov-mesure-4-ecrans.html |journal=[La Dépêche du Midi](/source/La_D%C3%A9p%C3%AAche_du_Midi) |date=14 September 2017 |access-date=3 April 2024}}</ref> measurement and integrated into Médiamétrie's daily measurements from 2 October 2017. In October, Molotov enabled its users with a paid option to enjoy the service in [HD 1080p](/source/1080p) and [Ultra HD](/source/Ultra-high-definition_television),<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |title=Le service Molotov.tv est désormais compatible 4K |url=https://www.cnetfrance.fr/news/le-service-molotovtv-est-desormais-compatible-4k-39858660.htm |journal=[CNET](/source/CNET) |date=13 October 2017 |access-date=3 April 2024}}</ref> with free users still benefiting from 720p HD. As of November 2018, the company claims 6.6&nbsp;million users and up to 900 new paying subscribers every day, compared with around 20 in 2017.<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |url=https://www.latribune.fr/technos-medias/medias/la-tele-n-a-jamais-ete-aussi-riche-ni-aussi-peu-accessible-molotov-796990.html |title="La télé n'a jamais été aussi riche, ni aussi peu accessible" (Molotov) |date=12 November 2018 |access-date=3 April 2024 |first1=Philippe |last1=Mabille |first2=Sylvain |last2=Rolland |first3=Pierre |last3=Manière |journal=[La Tribune](/source/La_Tribune)}}</ref> The 7 million user mark is reached at the end of December 2018.

On 30 January 2019, the [Altice group](/source/Altice_(company)) announced that it had entered into exclusive negotiations to become a majority [shareholder](/source/shareholder) in Molotov, with the two groups shared objective of accelerating the app's development in France and internationally, and offering Altice Group customers (via [SFR](/source/SFR) and [RMC Sport](/source/Radio_Monte_Carlo)), the best digital experience and [OTT](/source/Over-the-top_media_service) on the market for customers. However, [Jean-David Blanc](/source/Jean-David_Blanc) made it clear that Molotov was not for sale.<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |first1=Pierre |last1=Dezeraud |url=https://www.ozap.com/actu/altice-france-en-passe-d-acquerir-molotov/574013 |title=Altice France en passe d'acquérir Molotov |journal=[Puremédias](/source/Purem%C3%A9dias) |date=30 January 2019 |access-date=3 April 2024}}</ref> Almost a year later, in January 2020, negotiations with Altice having came to nothing due to the dissatisfaction of some shareholders, [Xavier Niel](/source/Xavier_Niel) bailed out the company to the tune of 30 million euros and Molotov said it has passed the 10&nbsp;million user mark.<ref>{{Cite journal |first1=Jean-Sébastien |last1=Zanchi |title=De plus en plus populaire, Molotov dépasse les 10 millions d'utilisateurs |url=https://www.01net.com/actualites/de-plus-en-plus-populaire-molotov-depasse-les-10-millions-d-utilisateurs-1848897.html |journal=01net |date=29 January 2020 |access-date=3 April 2024}}</ref>

On January 19, 2020, Molotov joined the French Tech 120 index.<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |title=Les médias, un secteur aussi attaqué par les startups du French Tech 120 |url=https://start.lesechos.fr/innovations-startups/top-startups/les-medias-un-secteur-aussi-attaque-par-les-startups-du-french-tech-120-1174656 |journal=[Les Échos](/source/Les_Echos_(France)) |date=24 January 2020 |access-date=3 April 2024}}</ref> In April, the last two major [DTT](/source/Digital_terrestrial_television) channels still unavailable on Molotov, ([NRJ 12](/source/NRJ_12) and [Chérie 25](/source/Ch%C3%A9rie_25), joined the free basic offer following the resolution of a long-running disagreement with the [NRJ Group](/source/NRJ_Group). With the first confinement caused by the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic) and the closure of schools, Molotov adapted its offer to the needs of students and in April 2020 offered the "Molotov for school" section, accessible from [kindergarten](/source/kindergarten) through to the final year of high school, bringing together all TV content organized by class and by theme.<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |title="Molotov pour l'école réorganise l'offre TV par matière, fait historique...", J.-D. Blanc |url=https://www.lexpress.fr/styles/enfant/molotov-pour-l-ecole-reorganise-l-offre-tv-par-matiere-fait-historique-j-d-blanc_2124243.html |journal=[L'Express](/source/L'Express) |date=21 April 2020 |access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref> These courses, designed by teachers, were produced by [Toulouse](/source/Toulouse)-based [start-up](/source/start-up) SchoolMouv.<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |title=Coronavirus : Molotov et SchoolMouv lancent une chaîne spéciale pour les élèves |url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/2020/04/18/une-chaine-speciale-pour-les-eleves,8852301.php |journal=[La Dépêche du Midi](/source/La_D%C3%A9p%C3%AAche_du_Midi) |date=18 April 2020 |access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref>

In June, Molotov announced the launch of Molotov Solutions, [over-the-top media service](/source/over-the-top_media_service)s for professionals.<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |title=Molotov va proposer sa plate-forme TV aux professionnels |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/molotov-va-proposer-sa-plate-forme-tv-aux-professionnels-20200615 |journal=[Le Figaro](/source/Le_Figaro) |date=15 June 2020 |access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref> It launched ''Mango'' (now Molotov Channels) in November, the first [advertising video on demand](/source/Video_on_demand) (AVOD) service featuring movies, documentaries and programs for children accessible from any free account.<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |title=Molotov lance Mango, un service de streaming gratuit financé par la publicité |url=https://www.lesnumeriques.com/vie-du-net/molotov-lance-mango-un-service-de-streaming-gratuit-finance-par-la-publicite-n156867.html |journal=Les Numériques |date=12 November 2020 |access-date=1 April 2024}}</ref> After launching its offer in [Ivory Coast](/source/Ivory_Coast) at the end of December, Molotov announced in a [press release](/source/press_release) its intention to expand in [French-speaking](/source/French_language) Africa, with a short-term plan for six other countries on the continent: [Senegal](/source/Senegal) in January, [Cameroon](/source/Cameroon) in February, [Burkina Faso](/source/Burkina_Faso) in March, [Tunisia](/source/Tunisia) in April, followed by [Guinea](/source/Guinea) and [Democratic Republic of the Congo](/source/Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo).<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |first1=Alice |last1=Bonhomme |title=Molotov poursuit sa croissance à l'international |url=https://mediakwest.com/molotov-croissance-international/ |journal=Mediakwest |date=18 January 2021 |access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref>

On 10 November 2021, Molotov was bought out for 164.3&nbsp;million euros by its American counterpart [FuboTV](/source/FuboTV):<ref>{{Cite journal |language=fr |title=Télévision par Internet : Molotov se fait racheter par une entreprise américaine en pleine croissance |url=https://www.latribune.fr/technos-medias/medias/television-par-internet-molotov-se-fait-racheter-par-un-americain-en-pleine-croissance-896178.html |journal=[La Tribune](/source/La_Tribune) |date=11 November 2021 |access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref> "This marks the start of a new era for Molotov, which is going to roll out with much greater resources, on two continents, with a real desire to form a global group," said [Jean-David Blanc](/source/Jean-David_Blanc), its CEO.<ref>{{Cite journal |language=en |title=Molotov finalement racheté par un groupe américain |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/entreprises/industries/molotov-finalement-rachete-par-un-groupe-americain_AV-202111140090.html |journal=[BFM TV](/source/BFM_TV) |date=14 November 2021 |access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref>

On May 16, 2022, Molotov announced the launch of seven thematic [free ad-supported streaming television](/source/free_ad-supported_streaming_television) channels from its AVOD Mango offer, its free video-on-demand service financed by advertising: Mango, Mango Séries, Mango Cinéma, Mango Kids, Mango Docs, Mango Histoires and Mango Novelas.

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}

Category:2016 establishments in France
Category:Internet television streaming services
Category:Internet properties established in 2016

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Molotov TV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molotov_TV) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molotov_TV?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.