int_or_none,
     parse_duration,
     try_get,
+    url_or_none,
 )
 from .dailymotion import DailymotionIE
 
 
         def sign(manifest_url, manifest_id):
             for host in ('hdfauthftv-a.akamaihd.net', 'hdfauth.francetv.fr'):
-                signed_url = self._download_webpage(
+                signed_url = url_or_none(self._download_webpage(
                     'https://%s/esi/TA' % host, video_id,
                     'Downloading signed %s manifest URL' % manifest_id,
                     fatal=False, query={
                         'url': manifest_url,
-                    })
-                if (signed_url and isinstance(signed_url, compat_str) and
-                        re.search(r'^(?:https?:)?//', signed_url)):
+                    }))
+                if signed_url:
                     return signed_url
             return manifest_url