Cyril Hanouna, the charismatic host of the long-running French television talk show "Touche pas à mon poste," has announced that the web version of the program will come to an end on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. This announcement comes just three weeks after the show ceased broadcasting on its original channel, C8, on February 28, due to a controversial decision made by regulatory authorities.
During a live broadcast on the evening of March 21, Hanouna informed his audience of the impending finale, stating, "Mercredi, les chéris, ce sera la dernière de Touche pas à mon poste. On va faire une grosse fête, puisqu’on va maintenant se concentrer à notre projet." (Translation: "Wednesday, my darlings, it will be the last of Touche pas à mon poste. We will have a big party, as we will now focus on our project.")
The popular show had been relaunched online on March 3, 2025, after the closure of C8, aiming to continue its legacy as a powerful force in the French media landscape. Hanouna claimed that despite the format change, the show was successful in attracting "a little more than one million viewers" daily.
Hanouna’s announcement was tinged with nostalgia as he expressed his gratitude towards his loyal audience. "Je sais que j’ai fait le maximum pour rester le plus longtemps avec vous. Et ça a été un carton énorme," he conveyed, which translates to, "I know that I did my best to stay with you for as long as possible. And it has been a huge hit!" His passionate proclamations underscored the deep connection he maintained with his fans throughout his career.
The context behind Hanouna's transition is rooted in the closure of C8, which was prompted by the Arcom (the French audiovisual regulatory authority) not renewing the channel's broadcast frequency. This severe move was largely attributed to the channel's repeated failures to adhere to broadcasting regulations, leading to fines totaling €7.6 million due to various controversies linked to Hanouna's antics.
The legacy of "Touche pas à mon poste" spans over fifteen years, during which it evolved from a modest program on France 4 to becoming one of the most viewed shows in France. At its peak, it attracted viewership numbers soaring to 3.7 million during its grand finale on C8. Notably, Hanouna weathered numerous controversies, including hefty fines for homophobic remarks and insults directed at politicians, which often ignited significant public and media scrutiny.
Looking ahead, Hanouna has plans to join the M6 group this September, taking his talents to the W9 channel and launching a project on Fun Radio. During his farewell announcement, he referenced an upcoming seminar with his team, aiming to chart a new direction for his career: "On va maintenant se concentrer à notre projet," meaning, "We will now focus on our project." Hanouna's future ventures are anticipated with great interest, given the mixed reactions to his previous controversies.
The end of "Touche pas à mon poste" marks not just the conclusion of a talk show but a significant shift in the French television landscape that Hanouna has impacted for over a decade. He has not only dominated television ratings but has also remained a polarizing figure within the industry. His evolution from a popular host to a potential political candidate underscores the complexity of his public persona—widely supported on the right and disdainfully rejected by parts of the left.
In conclusion, Cyril Hanouna's departure from "Touche pas à mon poste" signifies the end of an era and raises pertinent questions about the future of talk shows in France. As Hanouna prepares for a new chapter with M6 and possibly more political ambitions, viewers will undoubtedly be curious to see how he adapts his controversial style for his upcoming projects. Only time will tell if this beloved, yet contentious figure will manage to maintain his relevance in a rapidly changing media environment.
