Mumbai: Times Network has strengthened its international presence with the launch of its television channels on Free, one of France’s largest IPTV platforms. This marks Times Network’s first-ever launch on a French platform, expanding its reach across France, Monaco, and Andorra.
As part of the rollout, Free has introduced a dedicated Indian Pack featuring five Times Network channels—Times Now, Times Now Navbharat, Zoom, ET Now, and Pickleball Now. A key highlight of the partnership is the international launch of Pickleball Now in France, representing a major milestone in the global expansion of the fast-growing sport and the first channel dedicated exclusively to pickleball.
The inclusion of Pickleball Now reinforces Times Network’s strategy of taking differentiated and emerging sports content to global audiences, leveraging strong distribution alliances to build awareness and engagement beyond traditional markets.
Free, a subsidiary of Iliad Group, is the inventor of the Freebox, the world’s first triple-play box. A prominent player in the European telecommunications landscape, Free is known for its innovative and straightforward offerings. In October 2025, the operator enhanced its viewing ecosystem with the launch of Free TV, a comprehensive application available on smartphones, tablets, and Smart TVs. The premium version offers over 300 channels along with advanced features such as start-over and cloud recording.
As of mid-2025, Free reported a total of 23.1 million retail subscribers, including 15.5 million mobile and 7.6 million fixed-line customers, providing a substantial gateway for international content partners to connect with highly engaged audiences across France.
The expansion has been facilitated through Times Network’s international distribution partner, Nicolas Gorse of GORSE & Co.. The distribution team currently manages more than 50 television channels worldwide.
With this strategic launch, Times Network continues to scale its global distribution footprint, strengthening its position as a trusted international content provider while unlocking new opportunities for content discovery and audience engagement across Europe.
