| TFOU | |
|---|---|
| Launched | September 1, 1997 |
| Country | France |
| Headquarters | Groupe TF1
1 quai du Point du Jour 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt |
| Formerly called | TF! Jeunesse (1997-2007) |
| Website | tfou.fr |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Bouquet Canal Sat | |
| Cable | |
| Numericable | |
| IPTV | |
| Orange TV, Neuf TV, Freebox TV | |
TF! Jeunesse (TF! Youth) is a French children's television program. It launched on September 1, 1997, replacing Club Dorothée. The program was renamed TFOU in 2007.
TF! Jeunesse first appeared on Monday, September 1, 1997 at 4:30 in the afternoon on TF1, with the first episode of Beetleborgs. TF! Jeunesse was created by Dominique Poussier, the director of children's television for TF1. It was hoped that this new show would distance itself from its predecessor, whose shows had often been accused by parents and the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (the Superior Audiovisual Council) of being too violent. Poussier had previously created the morning program Salut les Toons! ("Hello Toons!"), which was presented by CGI-generated two mice, in 1996. In September 1997, she was given the difficult task of revitalizing children's programming on TF1, whose ratings had been in decline thanks to the popularity of Minikeums on France 3.
Using the same model which she had already presented with The Planet of Donkey Kong on France 2, Poussier suggested a program without animation. "T. F. Ouais" was chosen as the title for the program. The logo had been that of a defunct channel. An adult voice was the presenter of the show (Bruno Choël, the French dub voice for Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean and Ewan McGregor in Star Wars).
Interactivity with the young audience was exercised again in special operations like those organized for the presidential elections of 2007 where children were interviewed on the subject.
TFou was praised by the Foundation for Children for its activity on tolerance "Because we are all different" (Parce qu'on est tous différents) (Directors: Nicolas Sedel, Franck Salomé et Fernando Worcel).
Besides this important change in form in regards to Club Dorothée (available through antenna for 10 years) the animated shows were completely modified.