CFRT

What CFRT does

CFRT (Comité Français de Radio-Télévision) is a French non-profit audiovisual production association founded in 1950 by Dominican priest Father Raymond Pichard, operating under France's Association Loi 1901 framework (SIREN 78471889200028). The organization produces Catholic religious television programming, anchored by its flagship weekly broadcast Le Jour du Seigneur, which has aired continuously on France 2 every Sunday morning since 1949 and reaches an average of 700,000 viewers per episode (up to 1.6 million for major events and 2.4 million at Easter 2020). Beyond the flagship mass broadcast, CFRT produces documentaries, magazines, and cultural programming distributed across France 2, France 3, France 5, Arte, KTO, La Chaîne Parlementaire, Public Sénat, Histoire and La 1ère (overseas territories), with output exceeding 120 hours of programming in 2019.

The organization operates a multi-platform content infrastructure including the Vodeus video-on-demand platform (launched 2019, thousands of free titles), the Balade inattendue podcast (launched June 2020), the bimonthly bulletin "Vivre l'Evangile à la télévision" (300,000 copies), and sub-brands including Tous Frères (interfaith magazine for overseas territories, launched October 2021) and Sanctuaire(s) (heritage documentary series). Production is conducted by a core team of 63 salaried employees supplemented by approximately 200 intermittents du spectacle (freelance audiovisual professionals) annually. As of December 2024, the headcount is 63 across journalism, technical, audiovisual production, and marketing/communication functions.

CFRT's business model is a hybrid of philanthropic funding and public-broadcasting co-production: the organization is primarily financed by recurring donations from approximately 300,000 individual donors (with tiered giving at €25/€50/€100/€200 plus free amounts, eligible for 66% French tax deduction), supplemented by legacies and life insurance through the Fonds de Dotation CFRT/Le Jour du Seigneur endowment fund. France Télévisions co-produces Le Jour du Seigneur and contributes approximately 50% of production costs via human and technical resource provision. Governance includes a board chaired by Benoît Cassaigne, with Director General Emmanuel Bonnet; the Dominican Province of France holds a board seat, and the Conference of Bishops of France appoints the producer for renewable 3-year terms (currently Fr. Thierry Hubert). No private equity, parent company or external shareholders are present in the structure.

Name

CFRT

Legal name

Comité Français de Radio-Télévision

Website

https://cfrt.tv

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CFRT is a French non-profit audiovisual association founded in 1950 that produces Catholic television programming including the flagship weekly broadcast Le Jour du Seigneur on France 2, serving Catholic faithful and broader audiences seeking spiritual and cultural content via broadcast, VOD, and podcast.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Television Broadcasting

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

Christian Broadcasting (TV & Radio) (MPABALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Catholic Broadcasting (MPABALAB), International Religious/Faith-Based Broadcasters (MPABAEAH), Educational & Instructional Nonfiction (MPADADAL)

Keywords

• Catholic television production
• Religious broadcasting programs
• Documentary film production
• Faith-based media
• Audiovisual content production

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations from 300,000 faithful donors: The CFRT lives primarily thanks to the generosity of its 300,000 donators who provide regular financial support
2. Co-production with France Télévisions: Le Jour du Seigneur is co-produced with France Télévisions which contributes 50% of production costs through provision of human and technical resources
3. Bulletin Subscription: Bimonthly publication 'Vivre l'Evangile à la télévision' published in 300,000 copies, subscription at €17.50 for 6 issues
4. Legs and Life Insurance: The CFRT receives support through legacies, donations, and life insurance from supporters

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CFRT produces and broadcasts Catholic audiovisual programming, anchored by the weekly televised mass "Le Jour du Seigneur" on France 2. Beyond live mass coverage, CFRT produces documentaries, magazine programs (including the overseas-focused "Tous Frères"), heritage series (Sanctuaire(s)), theological interview series (Théologies en partage), an animated biblical series (Jésus, les traits d'une Parole), a podcast (Balade inattendue), and distributes content through its VOD platform Vodeus. The offering is aimed at French-speaking Catholic audiences, isolated or housebound faithful, and viewers seeking cultural and spiritual content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Le Jour du Seigneur: Flagship weekly Sunday morning Catholic television program on France 2, combining a televised mass with documentaries, magazines, and cultural content. Created in 1949 and named 'Le Jour du Seigneur' in 1954.
• Tous Frères
• Vodeus
• Bulletin du Jour du Seigneur - Vivre l'Evangile à la télévision
• Fonds de Dotation CFRT/Le Jour du Seigneur

Products and services

• Le Jour du Seigneur Weekly televised Catholic mass broadcast on France 2 every Sunday from 10h30 to 12h, combining a televised mass (produced direct from different parishes across France) with documentaries, magazines, and cultural content. Targets Catholic faithful, isolated or housebound individuals, and viewers interested in spirituality and cultural heritage. Reaches an average of 700,000 viewers weekly and up to 1.6 million for major events.
• Tous Frères Weekly Christian magazine program exploring interfaith dialogue across France's overseas territories. Broadcast on La 1ère channels reaching audiences in Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyane, Réunion, Nouvelle-Calédonie, Polynésie, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Wallis-et-Futuna, and Mayotte. Targets viewers in overseas French territories seeking Christian programming that reflects their cultural reality.
• Vodeus VOD Platform Video-on-demand platform providing free access to thousands of videos including documentaries, magazine programs, series such as Sanctuaire(s) and Théologies en partage, and archived CFRT content. Targets viewers seeking on-demand access to CFRT's heritage and contemporary productions.
• Sanctuaire(s) Documentary Series Documentary series on religious heritage exploring French pilgrimage sites and sanctuaries. Available via the Vodeus platform. Targets viewers interested in French religious and cultural heritage.
• Théologies en partage Monthly interview series on Vodeus featuring theologians and Christian thinkers discussing contemporary theological questions. Accompanied by educational worksheets (fiches pédagogiques). Targets viewers seeking accessible theology and Christian intellectual engagement.
• Balade inattendue Podcast Podcast associated with Le Jour du Seigneur featuring interviews with cultural personalities discussing biblical texts during car rides with presenter David Milliat. Targets listeners interested in conversations linking faith with contemporary culture.
• Jésus, les traits d'une Parole Animated series co-produced with Bayard exploring the New Testament. Combines animation and biblical content to make scripture accessible. Targets broader audiences including younger viewers and those new to biblical texts.
• Bulletin "Vivre l'Evangile à la télévision"

Quantifiable outcome

• 700,000 average weekly viewers, up to 1.6 million for major events
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• France TélévisionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary co-production partner for Le Jour du Seigneur, contributing 50% of production costs through provision of human and technical resources. Ensures weekly broadcast on France 2.
• Présence ProtestantecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcumenical co-production partner for programs including 'Sur les traces de Jésus' and 'Les actes des Apôtres du XXIe siècle' documentary series.
• ArtemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBroadcast partner for documentaries including 'Toulouse-Lautrec, l'insaisissable', 'Monk, Pannonica' and other productions.
• KTOmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCatholic television channel partner for co-production of L'Esprit des Lettres and other religious programming.
• La 1ère (France Télévisions overseas)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOverseas territories broadcast partner for Tous Frères magazine, reaching audiences in Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyane, Réunion, and other territories.
• Diocèses de Rennes et StrasbourgminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupport for diocesan television productions including 'Pélérimages' and 'Paraboles' for local television.
• La ProcuremajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Prix de la Liberté Intérieure book prize, providing distribution through their bookstore network.
• RCFmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio partner for literary chronicles as part of Prix de la Liberté Intérieure prize activities.
• Ouest-FrancemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for literary chronicles as part of Prix de la Liberté Intérieure prize activities.
• Journal La ViemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Prix Espérance, rewarding solidary and missionary initiatives.
• BayardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for animated series 'Jésus, les traits d'une Parole' combining animation and biblical content.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• France Télévisions: French public broadcaster that co-produces Le Jour du Seigneur with CFRT and provides the guaranteed Sunday broadcast slot. Comparable as the broader public-service media ecosystem in which CFRT operates and whose priorities dictate CFRT's distribution.
• Arte: Franco-German public cultural broadcaster that co-produces and airs CFRT documentaries (e.g., 'Toulouse-Lautrec, l'insaisissable'). Comparable as a public broadcaster commissioning cultural/heritage documentaries from CFRT.
• Vatican Media / Vatican News: Official Vatican broadcasting service. Comparable as the central Catholic broadcasting authority with multi-platform reach that CFRT engages with institutionally (e.g., the delegation meeting with Pope François).
• EWTN Global Catholic Network: Largest Catholic media network in the world, broadcasting in multiple countries and languages. Comparable as an international faith-based broadcaster with multi-platform (TV, digital, radio) reach and donation-funded model.

Direct peers

• KTO: French Catholic television channel that produces and broadcasts Catholic-focused programming, including co-productions with CFRT such as 'L'Esprit des Lettres'. Directly comparable as a French Catholic audiovisual broadcaster with similar religious mission and audience overlap.
• Bayard: Catholic publisher and co-production partner of CFRT for the animated series 'Jésus, les traits d'une Parole'. Comparable as a faith-based content producer with shared audience and co-production model in Catholic media.
• RCF (Radio Chrétienne Francophone): French Catholic radio network and literary/chronicle partner for Prix de la Liberté Intérieure. Comparable as a Catholic media organization with multi-channel distribution and editorial partnerships with CFRT.
• Présence Protestante: Ecumenical co-production partner of CFRT producing Protestant-faith television content for France Télévisions. Directly comparable as a faith-based TV program producing religious content for French public broadcasting, with similar co-production model and broadcast strategy.
• La Croix: French Catholic daily newspaper covering Catholic news, culture, and spirituality. Comparable as a French Catholic media institution sharing audience and editorial territory with CFRT.
• Le Pèlerin: French Catholic magazine that awards CFRT the Grand Prix Pèlerin du Patrimoine. Comparable as a heritage-focused Catholic media outlet with overlapping audience and editorial partnership potential.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Cfrt.tv
• Instagraminstagram.com/vodeus.tv
• Xx.com/cfrt_tv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cfrttv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CFRT