#SSD25 > June 23-26, 2025
Mapping the future with Christophe Sommet
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Interview
Mapping the future with Christophe Sommet
Enjoy a series of interviews with the people who support us every year. Discover their expectations, highlights, and their vision for the future of the documentary industry. Today, Christophe Sommet, CEO Thematics Channels Group TF1 (Histoire TV / Ushuaïa TV / Group TF1), shared his thoughts with us.
Christophe Sommet, CEO Thematics Channels Group TF1 (Histoire TV / Ushuaïa TV / Group TF1)
How do you map the future of documentary in your company?
Documentary is at the heart of the TF1 group's thematics channels, Histoire TV and Ushuaïa TV, which devote 95% of their programming to the genre. By the end of 2024, we will have invested a total of 3 million euros in documentary and magazine production.
Histoire TV and Ushuaïa TV cover a range of themes that are central to the public's interests: decoding the present through History and environmental protection. Our fast-growing audiences are proof of that, with Histoire TV ranking as the No. 1 channel among all pay-TV channels, and Ushuaïa TV doubling its audience in 2 years.
To attract and retain audiences, and to differentiate ourselves from the competition, we work hard on editorialization, events, exclusivity, different forms of storytelling and embodiment. For both linear and non-linear audiences.
How might Sunny Side of the Doc have helped to change the course of your career or your professional achievements?
Sunny Side is a must-attend documentary event and it's important for the TF1 group's thematics channels, Histoire TV and Ushuaïa TV, to be there. It's always interesting to meet the sector players such as current and future French and international partners. It's also an opportunity to host a lunch to present our line-up, which will take place on Tuesday June 25.
What do you see as the next developments and big trends in the documentary world?
Our channels work with French and international partners, in coproduction, prebuy and acquisition. Considering the international dimension at the production stage is essential to shape a program according to the expectations of the different markets, and to obtain the pre-financing needed to increase production value.
In terms of new trends, we're keeping a close eye on the opportunities offered by AI.
As we celebrate our anniversary, what would you like to wish Sunny Side of the Doc for the next 35 years?
First, Happy 35th anniversary!!
May Sunny Side remain the place to go every year to meet the various French and international players in the documentary world (broadcasters, producers, distributors…) and to keep abreast of new trends and developments in the sector.
Long live Sunny Side!