Broadcasters Overhaul Political Coverage Ahead of Election

A reshaped audiovisual landscape for the presidential election

As the 2027 presidential deadline draws closer, the media season is being defined by a profound reorganisation of political programming across major radio stations and television channels. With the vote looming, public and private broadcasters are competing to capture viewers’ attention by adjusting their schedules and recruiting iconic figures from political journalism. This global strategy aims to structure national debates and establish regular fixtures throughout the upcoming campaign. While some long-standing players are opting for continuity, others are making major changes to their programming schedules to maximise their editorial influence.

Public service focuses on interviews and historic formats

Among the notable new additions, France 2 and France Inter are partnering to launch a joint programme titled « Franc Jeu », broadcast on Sundays and presented by Benjamin Duhamel. This direct interview format will host leading political figures to accompany the major debates of the campaign. At the same time, the public broadcaster is scheduling the rebirth of « L’Heure de vérité », a flagship French television programme that ended in 1995. Now led by Caroline Roux, this modernised version will bring together a panel of journalists to question key figures in public debate. Four episodes of this renewed format are scheduled between now and the end of the year.

The transfer market for 24-hour news channels

On the news channel front, summer movements are redrawing the competitive balance. BFMTV is banking on the arrival of Sonia Mabrouk, moving from CNews and Europe 1, to lead a strategic slot in the late afternoon from Sunday to Thursday. This major recruitment alters the news channel’s schedule, while Apolline de Malherbe retains the morning political interview. Conversely, CNews and LCI have chosen stability by keeping their star presenters, such as Pascal Praud and Laurence Ferrari for the former, and Yves Calvi and Darius Rochebin for the latter. LCI has nevertheless entrusted its morning political interview to Amélie Carrouer, while franceinfo has installed Simon Le Baron on the breakfast show alongside Agathe Lambret.

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Adjustments on radio and mainstream channels

Other major audiovisual players are not sitting out this reshuffle. TF1 has chosen to prioritise field reporting to shift political discourse away from traditional studios, while entrusting its morning interview to Alba Ventura on the show « Bonjour! ». On the airwaves, Europe 1 has decided to axe the programme « Culture Médias » to free up airtime to strengthen its synergies with CNews, allowing for increased joint broadcasts of political fixtures. These successive adjustments demonstrate the global desire of media outlets to permanently establish their editorial brands before the official launch of the race for the Elysée.