Cyril Hanouna, the charismatic host of the popular French television show Touche pas à mon poste! (TPMP), made his return to the airwaves on March 3, 2025, after his previous channel, C8, halted operations. The show's revival on online platforms, including Dailymotion and YouTube, has generated significant buzz among fans eager to see the beloved entertainer back on screen.
The cessation of C8’s broadcasting occurred on February 28, following the French media regulatory authority, Arcom, not renewing its frequency. This decision, sanctioned by the Conseil d’État, was attributed to the channel's history of repeated infractions, including substantial fines amounting to €7.6 million due to various lapses mostly related to Hanouna's provocative antics.
Upon taking the stage during the inaugural online episode, Hanouna expressed his excitement about continuing the show, calling it "a genius idea from Vincent Bolloré, our shareholder, who had this in mind for several weeks, several months." His optimism was palpable, as he greeted over 120,000 live viewers within moments of the broadcast starting and celebrated surpassing 250,000 views shortly thereafter.
With the change to digital streaming, Hanouna took full advantage by engaging directly with brands on air—a tactic previously restricted under traditional broadcasting rules. "We can say all the brands we want," he proclaimed, cheerfully promoting products like Coca-Cola and Pepsi during the show, clearly relishing the newfound freedom from the constraints once imposed by C8.
The drama surrounding C8’s closure, described by many on the political right as an attack on freedom of expression, has drawn intense scrutiny and debate. Hanouna stoked this controversy by questioning, "Is it Emmanuel Macron?" when asked about the motivations behind the regulatory measures affecting his former channel.
Following the last episode on C8, Hanouna revealed his intent to join M6, another large French media company, promising to be part of its entertainment arm come September 2025. Despite warnings surrounding his controversial style, M6 has reassured the public it is not aligning politically with Hanouna's content, reinforcing their position on entertainment without political undertones.
Nevertheless, the recent history between Hanouna and regulatory bodies begs the question: Can he maintain this new format without facing similar repercussions? The host responded humorously and defiantly, stating, "I want brands!" as he continued to pitch various products live on his stream.
According to figures from Médiamétrie, C8 was ranked as the sixth most-watched channel in France during February 2025, reaching approximately 44 million viewers before its abrupt discontinuation. The switch to online platforms seems to have invigorated both Hanouna and his audience, who eagerly await what unfolded as the show transitioned from traditional television to the digital sphere.
Despite being absent at the start of the March 3 episode, Hanouna’s return was welcomed with applause by his crew and fans alike. Pascale de La Tour du Pin, who temporarily hosted the beginning segment, indicated to the viewers Hanouna would be joining shortly. "We are very happy to see you back with the whole TPMP team tonight," she reported enthusiastically.
After about twenty minutes, Hanouna joined the show, emanated enthusiasm, and assured his audience, “Nothing has changed, my darlings. We are live; the public is here, and there are many people following us.” His infectious energy elevated the relaunch, marking yet another chapter in the unpredictable saga of one of France's most provocative television figures.
Looking forward, Hanouna's move to M6 and the future of TPMP on W9 is set to redefine the boundaries of what can be broadcasted under new guidelines. He has promised continued engagement with societal topics, though he clarified there would be no direct confrontations with political figures on platforms like W9 and Fun Radio.
For now, the future looks bright for Hanouna’s online venture, and his fans can rejoice once again as this veteran of French television navigates his next moves away from traditional media constraints toward brand new digital heights.