The French variant of Nickelodeon was announced in 2005, and was officially launched on 16 November of that same year. The channel's application to broadcast on the French digital terrestrial television was rejected by the CSA in favour of Gulli, a kids-oriented state-owned channel. It gains revenue through advertisement and product sells. At the time, its market value was equal to €300 million. According to a research conducted by ConsoJunior in 2006, Nickelodeon France was the most watched channel among kids between 4 and 14 years old. During this time, the channel premiered new shows such as SpongeBob SquarePants, and Dora the Explorer. Thereafter, during the first half of 2007, Nickelodeon increased its audience share by 113% over a year. Due to this, some French celebrities such as Matt Pokora started to appear on the channel as hosts. On 26 January 2010, Nickelodeon France adopted the new logo and rebranded its graphical package. On that same day, the preschool channel Nickelodeon Junior was launched. In November of that same year, the network celebrated its fifth anniversary. In 2011, it switched its aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9. In May 2013, Nickelodeon announced the release of 2 new videogames of Dora the Explorer, in association with 2K Games. From 28 June to 12 July 2013, the channel organised the Crazy Tour Nickelodeon on six malls in France. On 6 September 2014, Nickelodeon France premiered Rabbids Invasion, an original series of the channel. On 19 November 2014, Nickelodeon 4Teen was launched, with its programming being centred on series for teenagers. On 22 September 2015, Nickelodeon HD was launched. In March 2016, Nickelodeon +1 was launched, replacing timeshift feed MTV +1. In 2019, Nickelodeon channels were launched on French ISP bouquets, ending their exclusivity on Canal+.
Sister channels
Nickelodeon Junior
Nickelodeon Junior is now a separate 24-hour digital television channel.
Nickelodeon Teen
Nickelodeon 4Teen was launched on 19 November 2014, broadcasting in HD and focusing on live-action shows for a female audience. On 26 August 2017, the channel was rebranded as Nickelodeon Teen.
Nicktoons
Nicktoons was a block on the French network Canal J. On 1 November 2005 the block ended. In 2012, a block named N-Toons aired on Nickelodeon, premiering animation shows.
