This paper investigates the often-overlooked practices and perspectives of subtitlers within the context of the French audiovisual translation (AVT) industry. It descriptively examines processes associated with different French distribution media – specifically cinema and Video on Demand (VOD) platforms – and how these shape practitioners’ practices and collaboration within subtitling production networks. Through interviews and non-participant observations with seven professional English-French subtitlers, this study explores various steps in the production process that differ according to distribution media and influence subtitlers’ workflows and interactions. It demonstrates that practices in subtitling extend beyond linguistic tasks, highlighting that navigating professional interactions and requirements within collaborative production contexts are central aspects of the subtitlers’ role. By presenting practitioners’ own accounts of their collaborative processes, the study underscores the significance of incorporating these experiences into broader discussions.