"The Batman": a ratings failure for TF1, what lessons can be learned?

On Sunday, January 26, 2025, TF1 broadcast the blockbuster The Batman for the first time in free-to-air format, starring Robert Pattinson in the title role. Unfortunately, the film failed to establish itself in the Sunday evening ratings battle. Let's analyze the reasons for this poor performance and the lessons that TF1 could learn from it for its future film programming.

Fierce competition on other channels

One of the major factors explaining this failure is the tough competition that evening. France 2 offered 007 Spectre , a James Bond with Daniel Craig, which attracted 2.47 million viewers (15.2% audience share). For its part, France 3 broadcast a new episode of Dirty Barnaby , bringing together 2.76 million loyal viewers (16.9% audience share). Faced with these heavyweights, The Batman only attracted 1.78 million viewers, or 12.6% market share.

A film too dark for the general public?

The Batman is known for its dark atmosphere and more mature approach than previous adaptations of the Dark Knight. Although critically acclaimed, this tone may not have convinced family audiences, accustomed to lighter blockbusters broadcast on Sunday evenings on TF1. In addition, its duration of nearly 3 hours may have discouraged some viewers looking for less demanding entertainment to end their weekend.

Poorly adapted programming?

Was showing The Batman on a Sunday night the wisest choice? Superhero movies, especially those with a more adult tone, sometimes have more success on weekday movie nights, when competition is often less intense. TF1 might have benefited from scheduling this blockbuster on a Tuesday or Thursday night.

The "déjà vu" effect of the Batman character

Although The Batman offers a new interpretation of the Dark Knight, the French public could suffer from a certain weariness with this character. After the memorable versions of Christian Bale and Ben Affleck, the arrival of Robert Pattinson was not enough to create the television event hoped for.

Insufficient promotion?

The promotion surrounding the broadcast of The Batman seems to have fallen short of expectations. In a highly competitive audiovisual context, it is essential to generate a real buzz around an event such as a blockbuster broadcast on free-to-air television. TF1 could have focused more on striking trailers or a targeted marketing campaign to attract a wider audience.

Competition from streaming platforms

Finally, it is very likely that competition from streaming platforms played a role. Many viewers may have already seen the film via these services or are now preferring to consume content on demand rather than aligning with the schedules imposed by linear television.

Conclusion: lessons for TF1

Despite its undeniable qualities, The Batman failed to establish itself as the flagship film of this Sunday evening on TF1. This audience failure highlights the challenges faced by traditional channels in the era of streaming platforms and the proliferation of entertainment offerings.

To maximize the impact of its future film acquisitions, TF1 will have to:

• Further analyze the competition before programming a film;
• Choose more suitable slots , especially for films with a more adult tone;
• Strengthen promotion to generate public enthusiasm.

In the future, offering a unique and attractive cinema experience will be essential for TF1, which must adapt to viewers' new expectations to remain competitive.