the consequences of the legislative elections for television

Continuous news channels, notably CNews, have recorded excellent audiences since Sunday evening. But the impact of this turbulent political sequence is much broader.

Political news has been extremely dense since the results of the European elections on Sunday June 9. The victory of the National Rally, the dissolution of the Assembly and the calling of early legislative elections, the crisis at Les Républicains or the union of the left are pushing the French towards the continuous news channels. All four – CNews, BFMTV, LCI and Franceinfo – benefit from it, but to varying degrees.

CNews, supported by Praud and Morandini, in great shape

CNews was the most watched news channel on Monday and Tuesday, with a historic record Tuesday of 4.8% audience share, compared to 4.5% for BFMTV. The Canal Plus group channel was the number one national channel at two times of the day: for Pascal Praud’s morning show (586,000 viewers) and for Jean-Marc Morandini’s (452,000 viewers), no one doing better in these niches. The two strong men of channel 16 were also leaders the day before, Monday, with scores never before achieved.

A potential eighth of the Euro for the Blues on the evening of the first round

On news channels, 2.5 million people followed the results, then the announcement of the dissolution and the reactions. There were more than 6 million on TF1 and 4 million on France 2. Emmanuel Macron’s intervention was such a cataclysm that the front page took an unprecedented decision: it preferred to extend its election evening and broadcast the France football match -Canada slightly delayed, with a 15 minute delay. Fortunately the meeting was friendly, otherwise the choice would have been more complicated.

It could also be on June 30, the day of the first round of legislative elections. If the Blues finish third in their group at the Euro, they could play their round of 16 at 9 p.m., a meeting which will be broadcast on TF1.

Summer grids disrupted and vacations shortened

These early elections also have an impact on the programs of TV channels. On June 30 and July 7, they should have been on the summer schedule, that is to say with lighter editorial staff. However, we not only have to cover the campaign but also host the two election evenings. At France 2, the current news presenters were therefore asked to remain on the air throughout this period. Knowing that everyone will be there for the Olympics from July 26, which will give them a shortened vacation.

The return of speaking time counting

Another consequence: the puzzle of speaking times has resumed. Each audiovisual media began its counts on Monday morning, with the principle of fairness to be respected over an ultra-short period of three weeks. For three days, the 8 p.m. shows on TF1 and France 2 have received one or even two political guests per evening. Wednesday June 12, the President of the Senate Gérard Larcher was on the front page while the leader of the Insoumis Jean-Luc Mélenchon on the 2nd.