There exists a French TV channel that really isn’t like any other. Sadly enough, it may not be around much longer…

 Nolife is a fairly recent French TV channel that is broadcast through ADSL boxes. So, if you live in France and if your internet provider is Free, Alice, SFR, orange or Bbox, you have access to that channel that does not emit through the cable or satellite. It’s basically a low budget channel created by fans for fans. Fans of what would you ask? Well, pretty much all that defines the geek community. Lots of video games, comic books, mangas, animes, geek culture, retro gaming and everything that comes from Japan(1). Note that those guys know about Japan and try to present it as they know it to go beyond the traditional cliches and, for instance a large fraction of their air time is devoted to Japanese music (very poorly known in France).

Now, why am I talking about this channel? Because I really think they bring something special and different. Everyone always pretends to be fed up but the conventional and politically correct TV program! Well, a group of die-hard fans are trying to break this mold and share their passions with the public and… the struggle! Kind of sad isn’t it? And they struggle big time! Essentially because their audience isn’t monitored due to the way they emit and they barely get any commercial on air. As low cost as they can be, they still need some income.

Now, why did I write this message in English since this channel only emits in France and in French would you ask?

First, because I think that such an initiative is so unique that it can interest a pretty wide range of people out of sheer curiosity. Underground geek TV-channels are not exactly growing on trees and I know of the interest of some of my Dutch friend for all the Japan-influenced French scene. Those interested in Japan Expo are probably interested to know about Nolife as well.

Secondly, because the channel is not anymore only available in France. They developed a service called Nolife Online that is a catch-up service allowing (for a few euros per month) to watch the videos by streaming after their diffusion on air. Not all the videos (for legal reasons but all the built-in programs which amount to more than 2000 videos). Note that all of that is still in French (2) but I know that there are a few french expatriates (like me) who read this blog and might be interested in Noline but never heard of it because they live elsewhere. So, instead of writing pages and pages trying to describe the programs of Nolife, I invite you to visit the following link where you can watch for free a sample of 15-20 videos to give you an overview of what it looks like.

As of last Sunday, Nolife has about 85% of the number of subscriptions they would need to balance their budget. By they are a very fragile structure and if they don’t get there very soon, they will have to reduce their production and get themselves in an even more critical situation or, sadly, pull the plug. Even if I can’t deny the amateurish aspect of some of their program, they still really know what they are talking about and I would see the end of Nolife as big waste. I won’t go any further in trying to convince people to subscribe. It’s a very targeted audience but I do believe that some people reading these lines are part of that audience so, just give a look, you might find it worth the time: http://www.nolife-tv.com/online

(1) The links points to videos presenting various programs of the channel, click on them!

(2) Actually, one of the shortcoms broadcast on Nolife is freely available on youtube with English subtitles. Feel free to have a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ9p3-35-38. Noobs is shortcom presenting the adventures of a group of MMORPG players seen from within the game.

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