Cyril Hanouna: A New Era Begins as He Joins W9 and Fun Radio
Cyril Hanouna, the well-known French television presenter, is making headlines with his anticipated move to M6’s W9 and Fun Radio, marking a significant shift after his departure from Canal +’s C8. Starting September 1, 2025, Hanouna will host two new daily entertainment shows, aiming to rejuvenate his career and expand his audience.
The decision to join M6 follows the recent closure of C8, which has been operating since its inception as Direct 8 nearly twenty years ago. This closure was triggered by regulatory actions due to non-compliance with legal obligations, as confirmed by France's media authority, ARCOM. Hanouna’s last broadcast on C8 was marked by his trademark flamboyance, where he engaged viewers live for over four hours. During this spectacle, he teased his new endeavors, stating, "You really thought I would just give up?".
Confirming the collaboration, M6 issued a statement expressing enthusiasm about Hanouna's arrival, emphasizing the shows will be purely entertainment-centric, contrasting with his previous social and political commentary on C8. M6’s director of broadcasts, Régis Ravanas, described this as part of a "non-societal or political entertainment project, which is very different from what Cyril is currently doing".
During the last episode of “Touche pas à mon poste!” broadcasted on February 7, 2025, Hanouna officially announced his new project. He explained to his audience, “We will respect the viewers as we always have,” assuring he would continue to welcome diverse voices and opinions on his shows.
Hanouna is not leaving his previous cast and crew behind bleakly; he announced plans to keep his staff employed until the new shows begin. From February 25, he plans to stream live content on platforms such as Dailymotion and YouTube, along with other Internet TV platforms, under the network he humorously called “Zoubida TV”. This initiative aims to maintain engagement with his fan base during the transitional period.
This change marks the end of Hanouna’s long-standing relationship with the Canal + group, which has been overseen by billionaire Vincent Bolloré. His amicable parting was showcased when he expressed gratitude for Bolloré’s collaboration over the years, even as he embarks on new ventures with M6.
Fans are eager to see how Hanouna’s iconic blend of humor, celebrity interviews, and lively discussions will translate on W9 and Fun Radio. Though details about specific segments on these platforms remain scant, audiences can expect his signature style of extreme engagement and entertainment.
Reflecting on the transition, fans and industry experts alike are speculating how his shift to M6 will impact the media dynamics in France. Analysts are particularly interested to see if his move to W9 and Fun Radio could contribute to rejuvenated programming focused on entertainment, potentially altering the current television and radio landscapes.
With the move, Hanouna has the opportunity to encapsulate both traditional and modern forms of media engagement. This could marry the personalized interaction style of social media with broader broadcast capabilities, inviting both younger and older demographics to tune in.
Recent comments from viewers and critics suggest mixed feelings about the shift. Some commend the departure from complex socio-political commentary, favoring light-hearted entertainment instead, whereas others worry about losing depth and significant discussion topics.
Nevertheless, Cyril Hanouna’s adventure with M6 stands to reinforce his influential role within the French media spectrum. His talk-show on W9 will air during prime time, allowing him to maintain high visibility and influence with audiences who have supported him over the years.
For many, the transition marks not just Hanouna’s change of channel, but also signifies the ever-evolving face of French television and entertainment, where presenting personalities constantly recalibrate their engagements and transformations to fit new molds.
Time will tell how successful he will be as he embarks on this new chapter. Hanouna’s reputation for innovation and entertainment could play well with the fresh slate he’s set to craft on W9 and Fun Radio—and audiences are surely ready to see what’s next.