Monaco holds a remarkable place in European media history. Télé Monte-Carlo, inaugurated on 19 November 1954 by H.S.H. Prince Rainier III, is recognized as the oldest private TV channel in Europe.
Less than two years after its first broadcast, the new Monégasque station gained worldwide attention when it filmed and transmitted the wedding of Prince Rainier III and the young Oscar-winning actress Grace Kelly, who would become the beloved Princess Grace of Monaco.
Although experimental television broadcasts began in the United States in 1928, early development took place over the following decades in the UK, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, and the Soviet Union. Only after the Second World War—particularly throughout the 1950s—did television expand globally, allowing viewers to watch at home what previously could be seen only in cinemas.
In 1950, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) was created, becoming a collaborative platform for Europe’s broadcasters. Monaco was one of the organisation’s earliest members. That same year, the first international TV link between France and the United Kingdom enabled British viewers to watch a festival in Calais, marking a milestone in cross-border broadcasting.
Just a few years later, on 19 November 1954, Prince Rainier III inaugurated Télé Monte-Carlo, a name it kept until 1993. It became the first private European TV channel, followed shortly afterward by Télé Luxembourg, launched in January 1955 by the Compagnie Luxembourgeoise de Télédiffusion (CLT) in honour of Grand Duchess Charlotte’s 59th birthday.
At that time, television sets were still luxury goods—symbols of modernity and social prestige. Families, friends, and even curious neighbours would gather around the few available screens as television programming began replacing radio as the cornerstone of home entertainment.
Only 18 months after its launch, Télé Monte-Carlo reached global visibility when it captured the fairytale wedding of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly on 18 April 1956. Since then, the channel has documented many key moments in the life of Monaco’s Princely Family.
In 1959, thanks to its membership in the EBU, Monaco participated for the first time in the 4th Eurovision Song Contest, held in nearby Cannes.
Monaco later achieved remarkable success:
- Winner in 1971 with “Un banc, un arbre, une rue,” performed by Séverine
- Second place in 1962
- Third place in 1960, 1964, and 1976
In total, Monaco has participated 24 times, most recently in 2006 in Athens.
One of the most iconic broadcasts associated with the Principality is the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, an event watched by millions around the world. For many viewers, the excitement of the race is inseparable from Télé Monte-Carlo’s coverage.
Monaco’s passion for media and global culture also inspired Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace to create the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in 1961. Hosted each June at the Grimaldi Forum under the Honorary Presidency of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, the festival celebrates outstanding international productions, actors, directors, and studios.
Over the decades, Télé Monte-Carlo has continued evolving with its audiences and remains deeply woven into the cultural identity of the Principality. The channel, now known simply as TMC, has been part of the TF1 Group since 2016.
As global telecommunications expanded, the Government of Monaco established Monaco Media Diffusion (MMD) in 1994—previously Monte-Carlo Radiodiffusion (MCR). MMD serves as the exclusive licensee for radio and TV broadcasting in Monaco, managing frequencies allocated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It also chairs the Group of Monégasque Broadcasters (GRMC), which includes TMC and RMC, and represents Monaco within the European Broadcasting Union.
