View source for France 2

{{short description|French public television channel}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Update|date=November 2023}}
{{Expand French|date=December 2020}}
}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = France 2
| logo = [[File:France 2 - logo 2018.svg|250px|class=skin-invert]]
| logo_alt = 
| logo_caption = Logo used since 29 January 2018
| type = 
| launch_date = {{start date and age|1964|4|18|df=yes}}
| picture_format = {{plainlist|
* [[2160p]] [[UHDTV]]
* (downscaled to  [[1080i]] for the [[HDTV]] feed)}}
| owner = [[France Télévisions]]
| country = {{Flag|France}}
| area = [[Europe]], [[Middle East]], [[Africa]],  [[Americas]] and [[Asia-Pacific]]
| former_names = ''Deuxième chaîne de la RTF'' (1964)<br /> ''Deuxième chaîne (couleur) de l'[[Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française|ORTF]]'' (1964–1975)<br /> ''Antenne 2'' (1975–1992)
| sister_channels = [[France 3]]<br /> [[France 4]]<br /> [[France 5]]<br />[[France Info (TV channel)|France Info]]
| website = {{URL|www.france.tv/france-2}}
| terr_serv_1 = [[Digital terrestrial television|TNT]]
| terr_chan_1 = Channel 2 (HD)<br />Channel 52 (UHD)
| terr_serv_2 = [[Television in France|TNT]] in Overseas France
| terr_chan_2 = Channel 2 or 3 or 4
| terr_serv_3 = [[DStv]] ([[Sub-Saharan Africa]])
| terr_chan_3 = Channel 728
}}
'''France 2''' ({{IPA|fr|fʁɑ̃s dø|lang}}) is a French [[free-to-air]] [[Public broadcasting|public television]] channel. The flagship channel of [[France Télévisions]], it broadcasts [[Generalist channel|generalist programming]] including news, entertainment (such as dramas, films, and game shows), factual programmes, and sports. It is headquartered alongside its sister networks at France Télévisions' headquarters in the [[15th arrondissement of Paris]], along the [[Seine]].

The channel began test broadcasts on 10 September 1959 and officially launched on 18 April 1964 as RTF Télévision 2, under the control of [[Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française]] (RTF). RTF was succeeded by the [[Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française]] (ORTF) in 1964. On 6 January 1975, ORTF was dissolved and split into multiple independent organisations under government control, with the channel operating as Antenne 2. In 1992, the channel merged with [[France 3|FR3]] under the new organisation France Télévision, and was renamed France 2. In 2000, France 2 and France 3 were merged with the remaining public channels under the present-day France Télévisions.

France 2 is broadcast nationally via [[Television Numerique Terrestre|TNT]] [[digital terrestrial television]] in [[High-definition television|high]]- and [[Ultra-high-definition television|ultra-high-definition]], while it is also carried by all cable, satellite, and IPTV providers. It is also [[Streaming television|streamed]] on France.tv, while some of its programmes are broadcast internationally by [[TV5Monde]].

==History==
Test broadcasts began on 10 September 1959. They were transmitted from the Eiffel Tower on channel 12 to broadcast experimental programmes. The channel was scheduled to start on 2 January 1960 on VHF channels 10 and 12.<ref>{{cite news |title=Les essais de la deuxième chaîne de télévision ont commencé |trans-title=Trials of the second TV channel have begun |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1959/09/19/les-essais-de-la-deuxieme-chaine-de-television-ont-commence_2143161_1819218.html |access-date=11 June 2024 |work=[[Le Monde]] |date=19 September 1959 |language=fr |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Originally under the ownership of the [[Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française|RTF]]. However, broadcasts on neighbouring channels led to constant errors, with reception being ruined in one of the two assigned frequencies.<ref>Hebdomadaire ''Radio-Cinéma-Télévision'' (ancestor of ''[[Télérama]]''), 1957 to 1959</ref> This prompted RTF to reserve the UHF band for the service. The channel went on the air for the first time on 18 April 1964 as ''[[Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française|RTF]] Télévision 2''. Within a year, [[Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française|ORTF]] rebranded that channel as ''La deuxième chaîne'' (The Second Channel). Originally, the network was broadcast on 625-line transmitters only in preparation for the discontinuation of [[Analog high-definition television system#French 819-line system|819-line]] black & white transmissions and the introduction of colour. The switch to colour occurred at 14:15 [[Central European Time|CET]] on 1 October 1967, using the [[SECAM]] system. ''La deuxième chaîne'' became the first colour television channel in France. [[TF1]] would not commence colour broadcasting on 625-lines until 1 September 1975. Such technology later allowed the network to air programming in [[NICAM]] stereo (compatible with SECAM).

The present channel is the direct successor of Antenne 2, established under a 1974 law that mandated the breakup of ORTF into seven distinct organisations. Three television "programme corporations" were established on 6 January 1975 – [[TF1]], Antenne 2 and FR3, now [[France 3]] – alongside [[Radio France]], the Société française de production, the public broadcasting agency [[TDF Group|Télédiffusion de France]] and the [[Institut national de l'audiovisuel]] (INA). Antenne 2 and the other corporations were constituted as limited companies with the state controlling 100% of their capital. Although the three channels were set up as competitors vying for advertisers, they retained a collective monopoly over television broadcasting in France that was not repealed until 1981. Privately owned channels such as [[Canal+ (French TV channel)|Canal+]] and [[La Cinq]] (now superseded by [[France 5]]) soon became major competitors to the state-owned channels after the state monopoly was lifted.<ref name="Regourd">Rigourd, Serge. "France", in ''Western Broadcasting at the Dawn of the 21st Century'', pp. 255, 270. Eds. Haenens, Leen; Saeys, Frieda. Walter de Gruyter, 2001. {{ISBN|3-11-017386-7}}</ref> The breakup of ORTF had been intended to stimulate competition between the public channels but failed in this aim; both TF1 and Antenne 2 came to rely on a diet of popular entertainment shows alongside cheap American imports, seeking to maximise ratings and attract advertisers.<ref>Looseley, David. ''Popular Music in Contemporary France: Authenticity, Politics, Debate'', p. 122. Berg Publishers, 2003. {{ISBN|1-85973-636-X}}</ref>

TF1 was privatised in 1987, radically affecting the balance of the French television market. The remaining state-owned channels came under severe pressure from their private competitors and lost 30% of their market share between 1987 and 1989.<ref>Rollet, Brigitte. "Television in France", in ''Television in Europe'', pp. 39–40. Eds. Coleman, James A.; Rollet, Brigitte. Intellect Books, 1997. {{ISBN|1-871516-92-7}}</ref> In an effort to save them, a single director-general was appointed to manage both Antenne 2 and FR3 and the two channels merged to form the [[France Télévisions]] group. They were renamed on 7 September 1992 as France 2 and France 3 respectively.<ref>Hart, Jeffrey A. ''Technology, Television, and Competition: The Politics of Digital TV'', p. 46. Cambridge University Press, 2004. {{ISBN|0-521-82624-1}}</ref>

In 1995, the combined audience share of the two state-owned channels was 41%, with France 2 in particular being heavily dependent on advertising and sponsorship revenues, which comprised 43.8% of its budget by 1996. The focus on ratings led to strong rivalry with TF1, for instance prompting the two channels to broadcast popular shows and news programmes in the same timeslots. TF1 and France 2 compete for the same demographics; dramas (including American imports), game shows and light entertainments form the dominant mix on both channels.<ref>Scriven, Michael; Lecomte, Monia. ''Television Broadcasting in Contemporary France and Britain'', p. 46, 51. Berghahn Books, 1999. {{ISBN|1-57181-754-9}}</ref>

Since 3:20 CET on 7 April 2008, all France 2 programming has been broadcast in 16:9 widescreen format<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2008/03/04/france-2-goes-169-widescreen/|title=France 2 goes 16:9 widescreen|date=4 March 2008|website=Broadband TV News}}</ref> over the French [[terrestrial television|analogue]] and [[digital terrestrial television]]. An HD simulcast feed of France 2 has been broadcasting on satellite provider [[CanalSat]] since 1 July 2008 and on digital terrestrial television since 30 October 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2008/06/19/france-2-hd-launches-on-canalsat/|title=France 2 HD launches on CanalSat|date=19 June 2008|website=Broadband TV News}}</ref>

In January 2024, the channel began broadcasting in 4K UHD.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2024 |title=France 2 is now broadcasting in 4K UHD |url=https://www.tvbeurope.com/media-consumption/france-2-is-now-broadcasting-in-4k-uhd |access-date=25 August 2024 |website=informitv}}</ref>

==Logos==
<gallery>
File:ORTF 2 1974.png|The logo of ORTF 2 from 1972 until 1975
File:Antenne 2 ('77).svg|Logo of Antenne 2 (1977-1986; logo remained in use for startup/closedown montage until 1990)
File:Logo France 2 1992.svg|Logo of France 2 from 7 September 1992 till 6 January 2002
File:France 2 Logo 2002.svg|Logo of France 2 from 7 January 2002 till 7 April 2008
File:France 2 logo.png|Logo of France 2 from 7 April 2008 till 29 January 2018
File:France 2 HD.svg|Above, but with the text "HD" on the right. Reused by [[National Broadcasting Services of Thailand|NBT]] until 2024, but recolored to purple.
File:France 2 - logo 2018.svg|Logo of France 2 from 29 January 2018
File:France 2 2018.svg|On-screen logo of France 2 from 29 January 2018
</gallery>

==Leaders of France 2==
;General President-Director
* Since 7 September 1992, the general President-Director of France 2 has governed over both France 2 and [[France Télévision]].

;General Directors
* Georges Vanderchmitt (September 1992 – January 1994)
* Raphaël Hadas-Lebel (January 1994 – June 1996)
* Michel Pappalardo (June 1996 – June 1999)
* [[Michèle Cotta]] (June 1999 – June 2002)
* Christopher Baldelli (June 2002 – September 2005)
* Philippe Baudillon (September 2005 – December 2007)
* François Guilbeau (December 2007 – August 2010)
* Claude-Yves Robin (August 2010 – 2 October 2011)
* Bertrand Mosca (3 October 2011 – 2 April 2012)
* Jean Réveillon (since 2 April 2012)<ref>« [http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/2012/04/02/97002-20120402FILWWW00450-jean-reveillon-directeur-de-france-2.php Jean Réveillon, directeur de France 2] », ''[[Le Figaro]]'', 2 avril 2012.</ref>

;Program Directors
* Jean-Pierre Cottet (14 June 1996 – 20 July 1998)
* Patrice Duhamel (20 July 1998 – ?)
* François Tron (July 2001 – 1 October 2004)
* Yves Bigot (1 October 2004 – 1 September 2005)
* Jean-Baptiste Jouy (1 September 2005 – 20 January 2007)
* Éric Stemmelen (20 January 2007 – 1 July 2009)
* Alain Vautier (1 July 2009 – 14 September 2011)
* Perrine Fontaine (2008 – 28 September 2012)<ref>« [http://www.lefigaro.fr/medias/2012/09/28/20004-20120928ARTFIG00699-la-directrice-des-programmes-de-france-2-ecartee.php La directrice des programmes de France 2 écartée] », ''[[Le Figaro]]'', 28 septembre 2012.</ref>
* [[Philippe Vilamitjana]] (2 April 2012 – 21 October 2013)
* [[Thierry Thuillier]] (since 21 October 2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jeanmarcmorandini.com/article-311442-officiel-thierry-thuillier-directeur-de-l-info-devient-le-nouveau-patron-de-france-2.html|title=Officiel: Thierry Thuillier, directeur de l'info, devient le nouveau patron de France 2|work=jeanmarcmorandini.com|access-date=24 October 2013|language=fr}}</ref>

;Information Directors
* Jean-Luc Mano (December 1993 – June 1996)
* Pierre-Henri Arnstam (June 1996 – September 2000)
* Gérard Leclerc (September 2000 – July 2001)
* Olivier Mazerolle (July 2001 – March 2004)
* [[Arlette Chabot]] (March 2004 – 19 August 2010)
* Thierry Thuillier (20 August 2010 – 21 October 2013)<ref>Direction commune des rédactions de France 2 et France 3 national.</ref>
* Yannick Letranchant (since 21 October 2013)

;Writing Directors
* Éric Monier (2010–2015)
* Michel Dumoret (since March 2021)

;Sports Directors
* Jean Réveillon (1992–1998)
* [[Patrick Chêne]] (1999–2000)
* [[Charles Biétry]] (2000–2001)
* Frédéric Chevit (2001–2005)
* [[Daniel Bilalian]] (since March 2005)

==Programming==
{{Main|List of programs broadcast by France 2}}

==Italian coverage==
From 1975, ''Antenne 2'' was available in Italy (regions of [[Tuscany]], Lazio, [[Veneto|Lower Veneto]] and parts of [[Lombardy]] and [[Liguria]]) using [[SECAM]] and since 1983 using [[PAL]] until 2003 when the frequencies were sold to various television networks such as [[Canale Italia]] and [[Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso]].

On 11 December 2006, France 2 was again made available across Italy on [[Digital terrestrial television in Italy|Digital terrestrial television]] until 7 June 2007, when it was replaced by all-news French TV network [[France 24]].

France 2 is now only available in [[Aosta Valley]] due to Italian self-government laws, and in the border zones because of natural spillover.

== Climate issues ==
=== Information about climate change in weather forecasts ===
In February 2023, 2 state TV channels, France 2 and [[France 3]] have begun to enter information regarding [[climate change]] in their weather forecasts. This will make the forecasts 1.5–2 minutes longer. The climate related information will rely on experts. The channels will also provide information about climate change and the ways to counter that to their workers. In France, except in case of breaking news they will ask reporters to take the train instead of a plane.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hird |first1=Alison |title=French TV transforms weather forecasts to include climate change context |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20230314-french-tv-transforms-weather-forecasts-to-include-climate-change-context |access-date=17 March 2023 |agency=RFI |date=14 March 2023}}</ref>

==Controversy==

===Lebanese Civil War kidnapping of Antenne 2 news team===
In March 1986, an Antenne 2 news team was [[Kidnapping|kidnapped]] in [[Beirut]] while reporting on the [[Lebanese Civil War]]. Philippe Rochot, Georges Hansen, Aurel Cornéa and Jean-Louis Normandin were four of many Western hostages held by terrorists during the conflict. During the opening sequences of Antenne 2 news bulletins, the headlines would be followed by a reminder of the French hostages held in Lebanon, including others such as Michel Seurat and Jean-Paul Kaufman, with names, photos and the length of their captivity. Within a year, most of the news team had been released and returned to France, but the reminders continued until all the hostages had been freed.

===Muhammad al-Durrah shooting===
On 30 September 2000, France 2 aired the famous footage of the shooting of [[Muhammad al-Durrah]] in the [[Gaza Strip]]. The scene was filmed by a Palestinian journalist, [[Talal Abu Rahma]], who worked for the station.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rorypecktrust.org/Awards01/talal.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317162040/http://www.rorypecktrust.org/Awards01/talal.htm|url-status=dead|title=The Rory Peck Trust: Awards 2001|archivedate=17 March 2008}}</ref> The voiceover, blaming the killing on fire from the [[Israeli Defence Forces]], was provided by the channel's reporter [[Charles Enderlin]]. Subsequently, that account was put in doubt, with others suggesting that the fatal shots could not have come from the IDF position.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2003/06/who-shot-mohammed-al-dura/302735/|title=Who Shot Mohammed al-Dura?|first=James|last=Fallows|date=1 June 2003|website=The Atlantic}}</ref>  France 2 later launched [[libel]] actions against commentators who alleged that the incident was staged. France 2 won a case against one of those critics, [[Philippe Karsenty]] who was eventually and definitely fined €7,000 by the [[Court of Appeal of Paris]] in 2013.<ref name=AP26June2013>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/26/france-2-palestinian-boy-footage "Media analyst convicted over France-2 Palestinian boy footage"], Associated Press, 26 June 2013.</ref> Karsenty had been convicted in 2006, acquitted on appeal in 2008,<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/middleeastCrisis/idUSL21033039 French court cancels libel in Intifada video case] Reuters.</ref> a decision that was overturned in 2012 by the [[Cour de cassation (France)|Cour de cassation]].

=== Gaza War 2009 ===
In January 2009, during the [[Gaza War (2008–2009)|Gaza War]], France 2 was accused of airing misleading footage that was biased against [[Israel]].<ref name="Fox">{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/critics-say-french-tv-network-broadcast-fabricated-footage-in-gaza-again|title=Critics Say French TV Network Broadcast Fabricated Footage in Gaza, Again|date=12 January 2009|publisher=[[Fox News]]}}</ref> It aired portion of a video that purported to show destruction caused by the Israel Air Force, but was shown to be a different incident from 2005 in which the IDF denied having any involvement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://teleobs.nouvelobs.com/rubriques/focus/articles/france-2-victime-d-une-intox-palestinienne|last=Clidi|first=Charlotte|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130111816/http://teleobs.nouvelobs.com/rubriques/focus/articles/france-2-victime-d-une-intox-palestinienne|archive-date=30 January 2009|title=France 2 victime d'une intox palestinienne?|date=7 January 2009|publisher=Nouvel Obs}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/158828|title=France 2 Uses Fake Gaza Video|publisher=[[Israel National News]]|date=7 January 2009}}</ref> After being alerted to the error by [[bloggers]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/46272,features,gaza-propaganda-war-escalates-on-the-internet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122213600/http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/46272,features,gaza-propaganda-war-escalates-on-the-internet|archive-date=22 January 2009|title=Gaza propaganda war escalates on the internet|last=O'Neill|first=Brendan|date=12 January 2009|website=The First Post}}</ref> France 2 acknowledged the error and formally apologized in the magazine ''[[Le Figaro]]'', saying that it was an "internal malfunction" caused by their staff having "worked too fast."<ref name="Fox" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://teleobs.nouvelobs.com/rubriques/focus/articles/gaza-france-2-une-erreur-bete-arlette-chabot|title=Gaza – France 2 : "une erreur bête" (Arlette Chabot)|access-date=28 January 2009|archive-date=25 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125184811/http://teleobs.nouvelobs.com/rubriques/focus/articles/gaza-france-2-une-erreur-bete-arlette-chabot|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jta.org/2009/01/06/global/french-network-apologizes-for-gaza-report|title=French network apologizes for Gaza report|date=7 January 2009}}</ref>

===2013 report on weapons smuggling from Serbia to France===
France 2 has been accused of knowingly producing and airing a news item whose key part it fabricated and staged.

On 7 March 2013, France 2 aired an eight-minute investigative report purporting to expose a weapons smuggling channel from Serbia to France. The report authors, journalists Franck Genauzeau and Régis Mathé, traveled to Serbia in February 2013 where they filmed a story claiming that Serbia is a hub for international weapons smuggling. Among its footage, the report showed two masked men – identified as Serbian weapons smugglers – who talked about their supposed illegal activity while showing off some of the weaponry: in particular two hand guns and one [[AK-47|AK-47 Kalashnikov]]. They're also shown firing off rounds in the woods.<ref>[http://www.francetvinfo.fr/video-sur-la-piste-des-trafiquants-de-kalachnikov-de-la-serbie-a-la-france_276401.html Sur la piste des trafiquants de kalachnikovs, de la Serbie à la France];France 2, 8 March 2013</ref>

After the report aired, the [[Police of the Republic of Serbia|Serbian police]]'s criminal department (UKP) conducted a month-long investigation, revealing its findings in May 2013 that parts of the French news story were staged with full knowledge of the two France 2 journalists.<ref>[http://www.blic.rs/Vesti/Tema-Dana/384489/Namestena-reportaza-Francuska-nacionalna-televizija-izmislila-da-je-Srbija-centar-sverca-oruzja Nameštena reportaža: Francuska nacionalna televizija izmislila da je Srbija centar šverca oružja];''Blic'', 26 May 2013</ref>

According to the police report, Genauzeau and Mathé arrived in Belgrade where they hired a local media fixer named Aleksandar M. who was employed at a Serbian news agency, giving him the task of finding weapons smugglers willing to go before a camera. Aleksandar M. apparently contacted his cousin Nenad Mirković and told him that the French were willing to pay €800 for weapons smugglers. At this point Mirković decided that he himself will appear on camera and also contacted his friend Žarko Blagojević to do the same. In order to make their act more credible, they then obtained two handguns – [[Zastava Arms|Zastava]] 9mm and 7.56mm – from Blagojević's father-in-law and father respectively. They also decided to get an automatic weapon by buying it from a certain Milorad Novaković, a resident of [[Umka]]. Apparently, the two first offered him €200, but Novaković wanted €350, at which point they went back to two French journalists asking for more money and getting it.

Coached by Genauzeau and Mathé, the footage featuring masked Blagojević and Mirković was shot at a house owned by Blagojević's friend in Umka. Afterwards, they went into the nearby woods in Duboko near Umka where they fired off a few rounds for the cameras. They then returned the two handguns to Blagojević's father and father in law before selling the Kalashnikov for €100. According to the Serbian police report, Aleksandar M. was paid €300 by the French journalists while Mirković and Blagojević split the €800 between themselves.

Serbian foreign minister [[Ivan Mrkić]] reacted to the police report by "seeking explanations from France as the ministry looks to make sure the untruths from the report are clarified".<ref>[http://www.b92.net/eng/news/crimes-article.php?yyyy=2013&mm=05&dd=27&nav_id=86380 French national TV fabricates story about weapons smuggling];B92, 27 May 2013</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|www.france2.fr}} {{in lang|fr}}
* [http://www.francetelevisions.fr/ France Télévisions Corporate site] {{in lang|fr}}

{{France Télévisions}}
{{French television stations}}
{{European Broadcasting Union Members}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:France 2| ]]
[[Category:France Télévisions|02]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1964]]
[[Category:French-language television stations]]
[[Category:Television stations in France]]