- Broadcasters are placing the 2027 presidential deadline at the heart of their autumn strategy.
- Journalist Benjamin Duhamel takes the helm of a new Sunday show titled Franc Jeu.
- The historic programme L’Heure de vérité returns hosted by Caroline Roux, with four episodes planned by the end of 2026.
- Major presenter reshuffles are marking daily news slots, notably with the arrival of Sonia Mabrouk in the evening.
An autumn broadcast season focused on the 2027 deadline
At the end of every summer, the French media landscape comes alive with the restructuring of programme schedules. For this new season, political news has emerged as the primary focus for all broadcasters. Station managements are actively preparing for the 2027 presidential election by increasing formats dedicated to public debate. This strategy is reflected in an immediate reinforcement of news teams and the deployment of new editorial frameworks during peak viewing hours.
New news formats for the weekend
Among the season’s notable new additions, the launch of the Sunday magazine Franc Jeu signals a desire to cross-pollinate broadcast platforms. Hosted by journalist Benjamin Duhamel, this weekly fixture aims to host the main players in national political life. At the same time, public television is reviving the iconic format L’Heure de vérité, fronted by Caroline Roux. Scheduled to be broadcast as special events following the evening news, this programme will bring together a panel of columnists and observers, including Eugénie Bastié, Thomas Porcher, Maryse Burgot and Neila Latrous. Four episodes are already scheduled between now and the end of 2026.
Strategic reshuffle of breakfast and evening slots
The summer transfer window has also led to significant adjustments to daily interviews and news slot hosting. The arrival of Sonia Mabrouk in the early evening slot constitutes one of the major moves of the new season on rolling news channels. This appointment alters the organisation of weekend slots, where Marc Fauvelle takes charge of an in-depth Sunday interview format. In breakfast television, the political interview format is also evolving: Simon Le Baron and Agathe Lambret form a new duo for the 8:30 am slot, while Alba Ventura and Francis Letellier take the helm of morning interviews on other rival channels.
Also read États-Unis : suspension prolongée du décret restreignant le vote par correspondance
Between editorial continuity and broadcast synergies
While many faces are changing slots, several industry players are choosing continuity to stabilise their offering for viewers. Presenters experienced in the format are retaining control of major evening debates or the hosting of flagship shows. At the same time, synergies between radio stations and television channels are intensifying to optimise the exposure of political content. Joint broadcasts of debate programmes are increasing, allowing for broader coverage of the pre-campaign that is gradually getting underway.
