At the dawn of a year 2024 that is preparing to host the Paris Olympic Games, France Télévisions, the only free-to-air broadcaster of the event, is preparing for a season like no other. Unique even, according to the director of antennas and programs of the public service, Stéphane Sitbon Gomez: "This is undoubtedly the most important year in the history of France Télévisions," he announces. "The Olympics happen once every 100 years. It is an honour and an incredible opportunity to be at the heart of this event. My bet - and my teams tell me I'm a little crazy - is that 100% of French people come at some point to watch the Olympics on France Télévisions! I'm even betting that one in two French people will come to our France.tv platform to see events. »
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As for the channels, they will be 100% dedicated to the event, including the events that remain on the schedule during this period such as "Télématin", the 13 p.m. and 20 p.m. news or the religious meetings. "In addition to the J.O. Club, there will also be 'Quelle jeux', Léa Salamé's evening show, which will not be a sports magazine but a society magazine that celebrates French pride and will keep track of this incredible moment," says Stéphane Sitbon Gomez. What about Michel Drucker, who was supposed to co-host the meeting? "For health reasons, Michel Drucker won't be able to be there every nightbut we hope to see him as much as possible on the show..."
After a year 2023 that he describes as "exceptional" in terms of audience (15.3% of PDA for France 2), Stéphane Sitbon Gomez is delighted with the success of the new news meetings of France 3 - Ici 12/13 and Ici 19/20 - which has chosen to bet on the news of the regions: "All the editorial offices have mobilized for this effort despite tensions and questions. There was a serious strike movement but we listened and we are very proud to have carried out this 'regionalisation' to bring the information as close as possible to the citizens," he explains.
Read also"What a shame!", "He has no embarrassment", "To vomit": Internet users support Marie Portolano in front of Michel Drucker in "Quelle époque"
Stéphane Sitbon Gomez also looks back on the incredible success of "Quelle époque!", hosted by Léa Salamé. "It's beyond our expectations. This talk show manages to bring everyone together." He also evokes the departure of Laurent Ruquier who was not kept by France Télévisions: "Laurent Ruquier wanted new adventures," says the number 2 of the audiovisual group. "He's one of TV's great popular talents and I'm sure he'll do great things again. On BFMTV, I would like to highlight his courage and audacity in offering an alternative to what is being done on the news channels. I think TV is dying of laziness and those who don't dare to try.
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"Further investigation" doesn't make buzz for buzz's sake'
Stéphane Sitbon Gomez
Returning to the controversies that surrounded the last issues of "Complement" devoted to Depardieu or Hanouna, the director of the antennas of France Télévisions says that the purpose of the show is not to create buzz: "'Complement of investigation', it is an independent editorial team that chooses its subjects freely. By the way, I hear that a survey is going to be released at the same time as you! We don't make buzz for buzz's sake. These are mostly journalists who do extensive investigative work for months with images you've never seen. The investigations into Depardieu and Hanouna have caused a lot of talk, but it is first and foremost a major journalistic work.
»As for Emmanuel Macron's remark defending Gérard Depardieu in "C à vous", Stéphane Sitbon Gomez admits to having shown transparency: "When the President of the Republic makes a remark, it brings us back to our duty of transparency. We did this by calling on a bailiff to authenticate the rushes of the images of the report. In public broadcasting, everything must be public and open to citizens."
Finally, Stéphane Sitbon Gomez reacts to the launch of "Bonjour", the TF1 morning news hosted by Bruce Toussaint that competes with "Télématin", on France 2. "This means that morning TV has a future! I worked with Bruce Toussaint, he's an excellent journalist, very warm. But Marie Portolano and Thomas Sotto are doing a good job at Télématin and I'm quite serene," he concludes.