The fate of Cyril Hanouna's popular show, Touche Pas à Mon Poste (TPMP), hangs precariously as the impending closure of C8 nears. Following the decision by France’s broadcasting regulatory authority Arcom to not renew C8's frequency on TNT, questions swirl around the future of Hanouna and his infamous talk show.
Originally launched on C8, TPMP has garnered significant attention for its lively discussions and occasional controversies. Yet, with the clock ticking down to the channel's closure date on February 28, speculation about the next steps for Hanouna has intensified. With C8's fate sealed, the big question is: where will he land next?
For weeks, reports have suggested Hanouna might transition to M6, with discussions about overseeing programs on W9 and Fun Radio. The idea seemed promising for both parties, offering Hanouna the opportunity to expand his influence beyond C8's controversial political discourse. “At M6, it's going to be huge, but Vincent Bolloré is my family,” Hanouna told Le Parisien, hinting at the complicated nature of his loyalty.
Yet, just as hopes for the M6 collaboration began to solidify, new developments emerged. Reports indicate Hanouna has stepped back from talks with M6, realigning his future within the Canal+ group instead. According to recent insights from Le Parisien, Hanouna is set to move to CStar, another network under the Canal+ umbrella, where he will continue to host Touche Pas à Mon Poste.
“We will give the show a fresh boost on Channel 17,” stated sources close to the transition, underscoring the aspirations to revitalize ratings for CStar. It’s worth noting, though, Hanouna’s move to CStar isn't without its caveats. The network operates under regulations requiring it to predominantly air music, which could limit the breadth of programming he can bring along from C8. Still, some elements of his program, including appearances by his colleague Jordan De Luxe, are expected to migrate to the new channel.
What does this mean for Hanouna's brand? While he has enjoyed considerable success and recognition at Canal+, his political inclinations have drawn criticism—especially the recent clash with his colleague Géraldine Maillet, where political debate was curbed during his show. Trying to strike the right balance, the Canal+ leadership seems eager to return Hanouna to his roots of simply entertaining rather than stirring political controversies.
Confirming this shift, Hanouna assured the audience he would reveal all about his future on the last episode of TPMP before C8's closure. The announcement is highly anticipated not only by fans but also by industry insiders who are deeply invested in the outcome.
Meanwhile, the dynamic at M6 appears to be less than welcoming, with voices within the group expressing qualms about his potential presence, fearing it may disrupt the existing programming balance. ”The leadership reassured other hosts, saying the goal is to revive the fun and entertaining side of Hanouna, rather than the more controversial one,” reported Le Parisien.
Despite this, Hanouna has been vocal about maintaining political discussions, hinting at ambitions beyond mere entertainment. His well-documented aim for the presidency by 2027 adds yet another layer to his public persona, raising questions about how audiences might respond to this challenging balancing act.
Addressing the situation, the executives of the Canal+ group are hopeful to see Hanouna reinvigorate CStar with his unique brand of TV talk show flair. Observers are eager to see whether his audience converts along with him to the new channel, or if they’ll find themselves reminiscing about the days of entertaining, politically-averse discourse on C8.
While the media buzz will likely continue, the transition to CStar marks yet another chapter for the embattled TV presenter, whose career may have cemented him as one of the more polarizing yet charismatic figures on French television. Can Hanouna reassert his dominance? Only time will tell as he takes the stage on CStar, but anticipation runs high.
With the countdown on to the February 27 show, viewers will soon discover how Hanouna plans to navigate this new chapter and what his refreshed format will entail.