France 4, part of the France Télévisions group, is a French public-service channel that transitioned in 2019 to focus heavily on children’s programming under the Okoo brand, targeting kids aged 3-12.
Okoo delivers a delightful mix of animated series, educational shows, and family-friendly content, including popular programs like Grizzy and the Lemmings, Ernest and Rebecca, and The Adventures of Paddington.
As of July 2026, France 4 / Okoo is primarily available in Europe via satellite, with limited reach in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) due to its French-language focus.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to the latest France 4 / Okoo frequencies across major satellites—Nilesat, Arabsat, Hot Bird, and Astra—along with expert tips for optimal reception. 📡🎬
Why France 4 / Okoo Captivates Young Audiences 🌍
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Engaging Children’s Content 🎨: Features animated hits like Grizzy and the Lemmings, Angelo Rules, and Lupin’s Tales, alongside educational shows promoting creativity, problem-solving, and cultural awareness.
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Broad Accessibility 🌐: Available primarily in Europe via Astra and Hot Bird, with streaming options on France.tv for on-demand viewing, though geo-restricted outside France.
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High-Quality Broadcasts 📺: Offers HD (1920×1080) and SD streams, primarily in French, with occasional subtitles for accessibility.
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Trusted by Families 📈: As part of France Télévisions, Okoo reaches millions of households in France and Europe, offering ad-free, safe content for kids.
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Educational and Fun 🧸: Combines entertainment with learning, fostering imagination and social skills for young viewers.
France 4 / Okoo Frequencies Across Major Satellites 📡
France 4 / Okoo is primarily broadcast via Astra and Hot Bird satellites, with no confirmed presence on Nilesat or Arabsat as of July 2026, due to its focus on European audiences and French-language content. The channel is typically free-to-air in SD and encrypted in HD via providers like Canal+ or Fransat. Below is a detailed frequency table for tuning into France 4 / Okoo, based on the latest available data.
Frequency Table for France 4 / Okoo 2026 📊
|
Satellite |
Frequency |
Polarization |
Symbol Rate |
FEC |
Coverage |
Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nilesat 201 (7°W) |
Not Available |
– | – | – |
Middle East, North Africa |
No confirmed France 4 / Okoo broadcast on Nilesat as of 2026. 📺 |
|
Arabsat Badr-6 (26°E) |
Not Available |
– | – | – |
Middle East, Gulf, North Africa |
No confirmed France 4 / Okoo broadcast on Arabsat as of 2026. 🔒 |
|
Hot Bird 13B (13°E) |
11681 MHz |
Horizontal (H) |
27500 kS/s |
3/4 |
Europe, parts of MENA |
DVB-S, QPSK, SD, free-to-air, France 4 / Okoo SD (720×576). 📽️ |
|
Astra 1N (19.2°E) |
12402 MHz |
Vertical (V) |
29700 kS/s |
2/3 |
Europe |
DVB-S2, 8PSK, HD, encrypted (Canal+), France 4 / Okoo HD. 📺 |
|
Astra 1N (19.2°E) |
11895 MHz |
Vertical (V) |
29700 kS/s |
2/3 |
Europe |
DVB-S2, 8PSK, SD, free-to-air via Fransat, France 4 / Okoo SD. 📺 |
Key Information 🔍
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Nilesat 201 (7° West): No confirmed France 4 / Okoo broadcast. Nilesat focuses on MENA content, and France 4 / Okoo’s French-language programming is not available here.
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Arabsat Badr-6 (26° East): No confirmed France 4 / Okoo broadcast. Arabsat prioritizes Arabic-language channels, and France 4 / Okoo is absent from its lineup.
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Hot Bird 13B (13° East): France 4 / Okoo SD on 11681 MHz is free-to-air, offering shows like Ernest and Rebecca to Europe and northern MENA (e.g., Morocco, Algeria), ideal for subscription-free access.
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Astra 1N (19.2° East): France 4 / Okoo is available in SD (11895 MHz, free-to-air via Fransat) and HD (12402 MHz, encrypted via Canal+), targeting France, Germany, and Europe with content like Grizzy and the Lemmings.
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Encryption Note 🔒: France 4 / Okoo SD on Hot Bird and Astra (Fransat) is free-to-air, requiring no subscription. The HD feed on Astra is encrypted, requiring a Canal+ subscription and compatible decryption (e.g., Viaccess).
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Alternative Access 🌐: Stream France 4 / Okoo via France.tv (free, registration required) at france.tv, available in France and select European regions. Geo-restricted in MENA and outside Europe.
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Coverage Note ⚠️: Hot Bird and Astra signals may reach northern MENA (e.g., Morocco, Tunisia), but larger dishes (100-150 cm) are needed for stable reception in these fringe areas.
Optimizing Reception: Expert Tips for Flawless Viewing 📺
To enjoy France 4 / Okoo’s vibrant children’s content with clear quality, follow these expert tips tailored for Hot Bird and Astra:
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Dish Size Selection 📏: Use a 60-80 cm dish for Hot Bird and Astra in primary coverage areas (Europe). In fringe areas (e.g., northern MENA for Hot Bird), opt for a 100-150 cm dish for stronger signals.
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Precise Dish Alignment 🧭: Align your dish to the satellite’s orbital position (13°E for Hot Bird, 19.2°E for Astra) using a satellite finder or apps like SatFinder. Ensure no obstructions (trees, buildings) block the line of sight.
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LNB Compatibility 🔌: Install a Universal Ku-band LNB (9.75/10.6 GHz) for both satellites. Confirm your receiver supports DVB-S for SD and DVB-S2 for HD broadcasts.
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Signal Optimization 📶: Aim for 70-98% signal strength on your receiver’s meter to avoid pixelation. Adjust dish azimuth, elevation, and LNB skew for peak performance. A satellite amplifier may help in low-signal areas but won’t compensate for poor alignment.
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Weatherproofing ☔: Protect against signal loss in rain or snow by securing the dish and using waterproof LNB caps. Avoid retuning during high-pressure weather.
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Coverage Verification 🗺️: Confirm your location is within the satellite’s footprint (Hot Bird and Astra for Europe, northern MENA) using official coverage maps.
Tuning France 4 / Okoo on Your Receiver: A Step-by-Step Guide 📡
Add France 4 / Okoo to your satellite receiver (e.g., Strong, Humax, Starsat) with these straightforward steps:
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Access the Menu ⚙️: Press “Menu” or “Settings” on your remote, then select “Installation,” “Channel Search,” or “Antenna Setup.”
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Select Manual Scan 🔎: Choose “Manual Scan,” “Manual Installation,” or “Add Transponder.”
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Choose the Satellite 🛰️: Select Hot Bird 13B (13°E) or Astra 1N (19.2°E). If unavailable, manually enter the orbital position.
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Input Transponder Details 📋: Enter the frequency, polarization, symbol rate, and FEC from the table above (e.g., 11681 MHz, Horizontal, 27500 kS/s, 3/4 for Hot Bird). Verify accuracy.
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Run the Scan 🔄: Press “Scan,” “Search,” or “OK.” Select “FTA Only” for free-to-air channels (Hot Bird, Astra SD) or “All Channels” for encrypted HD options (Astra). The scan takes 1-3 minutes.
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Save Channels 💾: Save the scanned channels (e.g., “France 4 SD,” “Okoo HD”) to your Channel guide.
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Fine-Tune Signal 🔧: If the signal is weak, adjust dish alignment and LNB skew to achieve 70-98% signal strength. Recheck cables and connections.
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Test Playback 📺: Select France 4 / Okoo to confirm clear playback. For encrypted HD channels, ensure an active Canal+ subscription and compatible decryption module (e.g., Viaccess).
Receiver Tips 🔌:
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Enable “LNB Power” on Strong receivers (e.g., SRT 4950) in the “Transponder” menu.
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For encrypted HD channels, confirm your receiver supports Viaccess decryption and your Canal+ subscription is active.
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Default PINs (e.g., 0000, 1234) may be required; consult your receiver’s manual.
France 4 / Okoo’s Global Impact and Highlighted broadcasts 🌟
France 4 / Okoo continues to delight young viewers:
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Viewership Strength 📈: Reaches millions of households in France and Europe via Astra, Hot Bird, and France.tv, with over 10 million monthly users on France.tv in 2024.
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Iconic Shows 🎤: Features Grizzy and the Lemmings, The Adventures of Paddington, Angelo Rules, and Lupin’s Tales, primarily in French, fostering creativity and fun for kids aged 3-12.
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Regional Presence 🌐: Strong in Europe via Astra and Hot Bird, with limited MENA reach due to French-language focus. France.tv enhances accessibility in Europe.
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Digital Innovation 📱: France.tv (free at france.tv) offers live streaming and on-demand content, though geo-restricted outside France and parts of Europe.
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Historical Milestone 🏛️: Launched as France 4 in 2005, it rebranded to emphasize Okoo in 2019, becoming a leading children’s platform under France Télévisions.
Steps to Align the Satellite Dish for Reception
- Fix the dish firmly in an open area without obstacles.
- Set the satellite direction based on your geographic location.
- Adjust elevation and direction slowly while checking signal levels.
- Secure the LNB once the strongest signal is achieved.
Once the dish alignment is completed successfully, scanning for channels becomes much easier. This step allows users to discover available broadcasts and ensure no channels are missed during setup or after frequency updates.
Search for a New Channel
- Enter the receiver settings menu.
- Select the channel search option.
- Start manual or automatic scanning.
- Save the channel after detection.
To learn more, visit: Search for a New Channel.
Steps to Tune a Channel on the Receiver
- Open the receiver menu and select the satellite settings option.
- Choose the correct satellite from the list.
- Enter the channel frequency, symbol rate, and polarization.
- Start the scan and save the channel once the signal appears.
Report on the Number of Satellites and Their Orbits
Satellites have become an essential part of modern communication, navigation, weather monitoring, and broadcasting. As of 2026, thousands of satellites are orbiting the Earth, serving various purposes, from commercial communication to scientific research.
Number of Satellites
- There are over 7,000 active satellites orbiting the Earth.
- The total number of satellites ever launched exceeds 12,000, including those no longer in operation.
- Satellites serve multiple purposes:
- Communication: TV, radio, internet
- Earth observation: weather, environmental monitoring
- Navigation: GPS, Galileo, GLONASS
- Scientific research: space exploration, astronomy
Types of Orbits
Satellites are placed in different orbits depending on their purpose:
1. Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Altitude: 160 – 2,000 km above Earth
- Characteristics: Short orbital period (90–120 minutes), close to the Earth for detailed observation.
- Uses: Earth observation, imaging, communication constellations like Starlink.
2. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
- Altitude: 2,000 – 35,786 km
- Characteristics: Longer orbital period than LEO, ideal for navigation systems.
- Uses: GPS, Galileo, and other global navigation satellites.
3. Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
- Altitude: 35,786 km above the equator
- Characteristics: The satellite remains fixed relative to a point on Earth, providing continuous coverage.
- Uses: Television broadcasting, weather satellites, and communication satellites.
4. Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO)
- Characteristics: Elliptical path with varying distances from Earth
- Uses: Coverage of polar regions and specific high-latitude areas where GEO satellites are less effective.
How Modern Satellites Enable Interactive TV and Internet Access
Modern satellites do more than broadcast TV—they provide interactive services and internet connectivity to homes worldwide:
1. Two-Way Communication
- Interactive TV and satellite internet require uplink and downlink capabilities.
- Users can send requests or data back to the satellite through a return channel.
2. High-Speed Data Transmission
- Modern satellites operate at higher frequencies and use advanced compression to transmit large amounts of data quickly.
- This allows streaming of HD, 4K, and on-demand content without buffering.
3. Multi-Spot Beams
- Satellites use multiple focused beams to target specific regions, increasing bandwidth and efficiency.
- Enables simultaneous high-speed internet and interactive TV services in multiple locations.
4. Compatibility with Smart Receivers
- Receivers can process interactive content, such as video-on-demand, online gaming, or live polling.
- Smart set-top boxes connect to the internet to provide personalized services.
5.
The Evolution of Satellite Dishes: From Large Antennas to Compact Home Systems
Satellite dishes have come a long way since their early introduction:
1. Early Large Antennas
- The first satellite dishes in the 1960s and 1970s were large and bulky, often several meters in diameter.
- They were primarily used by broadcast stations and scientific institutions.
- Analog signals made reception prone to interference and limited channel availability.
2. Home Satellite Dishes
- In the 1980s, smaller dishes were developed for residential use.
- Parabolic designs improved signal focus and quality.
- Digital broadcasting in the 1990s increased channel availability and reduced signal interference.
3. Modern Compact Systems
- Today’s dishes are often less than 1 meter in diameter, easy to install at homes.
- They support HD, 4K, and interactive satellite services.
- Many modern dishes can receive signals from multiple satellites using a single LNB.
