A Record-Breaking Gap at Lunchtime
The showdown was set from the get-go: at 1pm sharp, TF1’s “13 Heures,” presented by Audrey Crespo-Mara (12:58–13:31), pulled in a whopping 5.47 million viewers, capturing a massive 42.7% audience share. Meanwhile, France 2, with Leïla Kaddour at the helm (12:59–13:20), brought together 2.35 million loyal viewers (18.4%). Across the ring, M6’s “Le 12.45” (Ashley Chevalier, 12:49–13:11) mustered 1.49 million (11.9%), while France 3’s “Ici 12/13” drew 919,000 (8%). The midday pecking order was unambiguous, as news.yahoo.com notes.
But numbers don’t lie—and they only got more interesting throughout the week. TF1’s lunchtime edition gained 280,000 viewers in seven days, with its market share edging up by 0.4 points. France 2 also rose by 170,000, but saw its share slip by 1.3 points. M6 lingered steadily, losing just 0.6 points. France 3, however, saw the sharpest jump: a surge of 311,000 viewers and a 2.3-point climb, proof of a real audience revival around midday.
Persistent Trends Through the Afternoon
It’s not just about raw numbers; the audience curves tell a story of shifting loyalties, clear choices, and targeted growth. The robustness of TF1’s main news is only amplified by its legendary reputation. The contrast in content and tone between the channels is what really steers viewer preferences, cemented by the inertia of the 12:30–13:30 slot. These signals condition the entire access prime time—and even set the stage for the crucial evening slots, with ripple effects that last.
Take TF1 in the afternoon as an example:
- “Sept à huit”: 3.06 million viewers (19.8%), up by 370,000 and 0.9 points.
- “Sept à huit Life”: 1.47 million (12.9%), down 2.3 points.
- “Star Academy”: 1.30 million (13.3%).
- TFX’s spin-off: 206,000 (1%).
- Among women under 50 responsible for purchases (FRDA-50 target): 23.2%.
This block shored up TF1’s prime time lead.
France 2 banked on steady progress: “20h30 le dimanche” crossed the 4.29 million mark (20.8%, up by 1.3 points). “Les enfants de la télé, la suite” notched up 2.21 million (13%)—double record, up 0.7 points. Their “P1” segment also rose to 1.70 million (12%), gaining 2.5 points. The channel thrived on gradual momentum.
M6, not outdone, also gained traction: “66 minutes, grand format” brought in 1.56 million (9.9%), up by 0.4 points, and “66 minutes” was close behind with 881,000 (7.6%, up 0.6). Both “Le 2010” and “E=M6” posted 1.75 million and 8.4%. France 5’s “En société” and “C politique” hovered around 620,000 viewers (about 3–4%), showing a highly mobile audience between channels.
The All-Important Evening
At 8pm, competition was just as stiff:
- TF1 (19:57–20:39): 6.08 million (29.8%), down 0.9 points.
- France 2 (19:58–20:31): 4.33 million (21.3%), down 1.1 points.
- M6’s “Le 19.45”: 2.64 million (13.9%), up 0.9 points.
- France 3’s “ICI 19/20”: 2.28 million (13.4%), up 1 point.
Despite the ups and downs, the powerhouse positions of each network held firm—a testament to the day’s building momentum.
Sports and Entertainment: Who Leads the Rest?
Sport had its share of the spotlight:
- “Stade 2” (France 2): 1.51 million (7.4%), down 0.7 points.
- “Téléfoot” (TF1): 748,000 (12.9%).
- “Automoto” (TF1): 699,000 (15.2%).
- “Turbo” (M6): 788,000 (9.8%).
- On Canal+: “Canal Football Club” drew 171,000 (0.9%), “Canal Rugby Club” 260,000 (1.3%).
When it comes to pure entertainment, loyalty is tested again:
- France 2’s “Un dimanche à la campagne” hit a record: 1.74 million (16.9%, up 3.7 points), welcoming guests like Amel Bent, Florent Peyre, Kelly Massol.
- France 3’s “Dimanche en politique”: 392,000 (4.1%).
- TF1’s midday “Les 12 coups de midi”: 3.23 million (33.2%, up 1.9).
- France 2’s “TLMVPSP”: 1.87 million (18.3%, down 1.2).
- France 3’s “QPUC”: 1.26 million (9.4%, down 0.2).
- TMC’s “Les mystères de l’amour”: 395,000 (1.9%).
- M6’s “Enquête exclusive”: 458,000 (6.7%)—with audiences clearly spread out across the board.
To sum up: Sunday’s figures crowned TF1 as the undisputed leader in news, with France 2 firming up its late afternoon and early evening lineup. M6 found footing with its magazine programs, while France 3 solidified its regional offering. The handoffs between shows bolstered the channels’ prime slots, with targeted gains and only modest setbacks. Amid this tight competition, French viewers played referee, confirming the key players—and locking in the Sunday hierarchy… well, at least until next week!
