French state-run television, France Télévisions is now an ad-free zone from 8pm to 6am each night in a move that many in France are calling a cultural revolution, while mobilizing strike action by journalists.   The night-time ad ban has come as the first stage in French President Nicolas Sarkozy's reform of the state-run services, with advertising to be banned completely in 2011.

Staff at both France 2 and France 3 have gone on strike against the moves, which they maintain will reduce funding and lead to job losses.

Supporters of the reforms see the move to ban advertising as a step towards transforming the state-run channels into a French version of British public broadcaster the BBC, something that Sarkozy himself has aspired towards.   While many detractors say that the removal of advertising from state-run services and the increase in the advertising allowed per hour on privately owned services will financially benefit close friend and owner of TF1, Martin Bouygues.

The reforms announced by Sarkozy last year were aimed at removing the "dictatorship of the ratings".  Part of the considerable funding shortfall will be met by taxing advertising on privately owned television stations expected to net €450 million this year and increasing the French Television licence by €4 a year.   The French President now has the power to hire and fire the chief of France Télévisions, previously the task of an independent group, which opposers believe will lead direct political influence in the operation of the corporation.

Ratings on the first night of no ads last week for channels France 2 and France 3, have seen both channels record their best ever ratings performances and that French viewers are embracing the ad-free environment.   After the 8pm news each night, a large block of advertising is traditionally shown, with primetime programming starting at 8:50pm while France 2 and France 3 will now commence primetime programming directly after the news at 8:35pm.