On December 31, 2024, Stéphane Bern will return to host the much-anticipated La Grande soirée du 31 live from the Champs-Élysées, promising viewers and on-site spectators alike a night filled with impressive performances and jubilant festivities. This year, the event is expected to draw nearly one million attendees to the famous Parisian avenue, with millions more tuning in from their homes.
Last year, Bern’s hosting duties brought remarkable viewership, with France 2 capturing the attention of 4.19 million viewers, which accounted for 30.3% market share during the evening, peaking at midnight with 8.17 million viewers and achieving 58% market share at its height. Excited for another spectacular celebration, France 2 aims to replicate this success with even more grandeur.
The festivities will kick off at 21h05, with several hours of entertainment showcasing diverse artistic disciplines. A plethora of renowned artists is slated to perform, including David Hallyday, Chimène Badi, Kendji Girac, and Jean-Louis Aubert, among others. Audiences can also expect performances from iconic dance troupes, including the Moulin-Rouge and the Cirque Phénix, ensuring the celebrations will be nothing short of spectacular. Stéphane Sitbon-Gomez, director of programs for France Télévisions, affirmed, "We want to create an even more eventful program than last year," signaling the network’s commitment to provide viewers with premium entertainment.
Stéphane Bern, who has served as the face of this New Year's Eve celebration for five consecutive years, expressed his enduring passion for hosting this unique event. "I feel even more pleasure this year because we’re live," Bern shared during his exclusive interview with Télé-Loisirs. He added, "I find the live atmosphere to be very rewarding. There’s a certain energy on the evening like no other." His dedication is evident as he focuses on his responsibilities, reminiscing about how, amid the festivities, he often feels like he is "the guy holding down the fort" as others celebrate around him.
Bern candidly reflected on the nature of celebrating at New Year's. "I have never liked this night much. I've sometimes had dinners on the 31st, but deep down, I'm not much of a party person. It may sound strange, but I prefer to celebrate the New Year with the French people rather than alone with friends. I realize my job is to provide companionship to those who might feel alone on such occasions," he noted. This heartfelt connection with viewers undoubtedly makes his role more meaningful as he transitions from the past year to the new one.
At 23h50, anticipation will build as the show shifts to the much-awaited countdown for the midnight fireworks. The spectacular will kick off with ten minutes of stunning 3D video mapping around Paris, leading to the grand finale: fireworks igniting the Arc de Triomphe, marking the dawn of 2025.
While Stéphane Bern prepares to light up the evening, he will not be without competition. TF1 is introducing its own New Year’s program this year, with the show 2025 Le Grand Feu d’Artifice featuring Soprano and his impressive lineup of 1,000 choristers from across France. The competition creates new dynamics for Bern and France 2, but they remain confident of capturing their audience's interest with their unique programming approach as evidenced by previous years’ successes.
Looking back on the past year, Stéphane Bern's achievements extend beyond entertaining roles, with significant contributions to preserving France's cultural heritage. Bern expressed pride and humility at being recognized as the favorite presenter among viewers at the inaugural TL Awards, hosting honorably for his contributions to historical preservation. "The award for the most engaged personality touched me deeply; it shows how much people appreciate my commitment to heritage," he stated.
With viewers eagerly awaiting the celebrations, it remains to be seen whether Stéphane Bern can maintain the mantle of popularity as he welcomes 2025. La Grande soirée du 31 not only exemplifies his hosting skills and entertainment value but embodies his sense of duty to bring people together during the festive season. Ever the storyteller, Bern will continue to weave a narrative connecting tradition and celebration, offering viewers one more reason to tune in and celebrate the New Year with their beloved host.