Touche pas à mon poste (TPMP), the widely popular French talk show hosted by Cyril Hanouna, has found refuge on the channel W9 after the recent shutdown of its original platform, C8, by the Arcom, the French regulatory body for audiovisual communication. This strategic move follows the show's turbulent history of sanctions and controversies but reflects Hanouna's resilience and ability to adapt.
On March 10, 2025, Pierre Ménès, former consultant for Canal+, acknowledged Hanouna's talents during his commentary on YouTube. He stated, "Il faut reconnaître que Cyril Hanouna a réussi une performance assez extraordinaire, parce que ce n’était pas gagné de refaire une émission comme ça avec les plateformes. Effectivement, il faut plus d’1 million tous les soirs, ce qui est incroyable," highlighting the significant achievement of maintaining over one million viewers every night. This view signals the enduring appeal of Hanouna and his format, even under new constraints.
Despite finding success on W9, Ménès expressed concern over the show's future viability, saying, "Je ne sais pas si cette formule est viable au-delà du mois d’avril." He emphasized potential financial challenges associated with the show's production costs, questioning if Hanouna could continue to sustain TPMP at its current operational scale.
Since the shutdown of C8 on February 28, 2025, TPMP has not only transitioned to W9 but has also broadened its reach onto platforms such as YouTube, Dailymotion, and Zoubida TV, making the content more accessible to audiences through various telecommunications boxes and MyCanal. This attempt to widen outreach follows Carlos Hanouna's previous strategies of engaging viewers where they frequently consume media.
Alongside his hosting duties on TPMP, Hanouna retains his position on Europe 1, with the show On marche sur la tête, where he discusses pressing issues under the current political climate. During his broadcast on March 4, 2025, he directly criticized BFMTV journalists, claiming they fail to represent the French populace accurately. He stated, "Les mecs veulent plaire à tout le monde... Donc forcément personne n'a envie de les regarder," reflecting his frustration with mainstream media outlets. Hanouna believes this disconnect has led to BFMTV's declining viewership numbers and reinforced the rising popularity of competitor CNews.
He articulated this perspective with notable fervor, asserting "CNews, qui est à 3%, c’est-à-dire qu’ils sont à plus 0,4% face à BFM," highlighting the distinct shift among viewers preferring CNews for its approach to content and hosting styles. Hanouna confidently proclaimed, "Aujourd'hui, je pense que BFM ne sera plus jamais devant CNews," indicating his faith in the changing dynamics of the news media.
Despite the controversy and competition within the French media space, the adaptability of Hanouna and his commitment to engaging content showcase the resilience within his programming. Yet, as Ménès pointed out, the environment remains precarious. The question lingers: how long can TPMP maintain its current momentum?
While the audience tuning in continues to exceed expectations—benefiting from the promotional strategies and new broadcasting formats—there is mutual concern among industry watchers about how sustainable this model is against the looming threat of regulatory scrutiny from bodies like Arcom. This raises broader issues about the direction of entertainment and informational programming within France, as changing viewer habits and preferences shake the foundations of traditional broadcasting.
It remains to be seen if Hanouna’s next moves will fortify or undermine his standing among audiences and critics alike. The upcoming weeks are likely to be pivotal not just for TPMP but for the entire French media industry as it grapples with viewer expectations, regulatory compliance, and the volatile nature of digital content consumption.