Supersonic return for LCI.
The news channel has been recording historical audiences for several weeks.
In October, as in November, channel 26 set its record with an average audience share (PDA) of 2.0%.
This month, its weekly program schedule is even the leader of news channels at the end of the day thanks to “24H Pujadas” at 6 p.m., “Un œil sur le monde” by Ruth Elkrief and Julien Arnaud at 9 p.m., or even at “Brunet, Hammet & Cie”, offered every evening between 10 p.m. and midnight.
As a result, LCI is now on the heels of CNews, its competitor from the Canal + group.
In November, the antenna embodied by Pascal Praud is only 0.1 point ahead of its rival from the TF1 group, against still almost a point a year earlier.
BFMTV continues for its part to largely lead the race, with 2.7% of PDA (3.2% in October).
While international news often serves as a foil for broadcasters, LCI's current success is nonetheless due to its massive coverage of the war in Ukraine.
"International news represents about 80% of our antenna, or about fifteen hours a day, with a huge majority dedicated to Ukraine," says Fabien Namias.
For the general manager of channel 26, "the tectonic plates of the news" are largely located outside France today.
“Their progression is mainly made up of old viewers”
The leader of LCI, however, rejects the idea of a monothematic channel.
“We are dealing, for example, with the current protests in China.
We also recently organized the big debate between the three candidates for the presidency of Les Républicains”, he gives as an example.
And to claim the treatment of “less information” but more “in length, in depth, and with a height of view”.
“The leaders of LCI realized that they were increasing the viewing time with the war in Ukraine and therefore stayed on it.
It's a good niche for them”, notes for his part a figure of the competition.
"Their progression is mainly made up of old viewers who watch the length of the debates on Ukraine," scoffs another.
The strong exposure of the conflict between kyiv and Moscow has, it is true, not made it possible to rejuvenate the ratings of LCI.
Nearly two-thirds of its followers (63.8%) are over 65, compared to 57% for CNews, 55% at France Info and 45% for BFMTV.
“We have broadened our audience globally,” contests Fabien Namias, citing the doubling (from 0.4 to 0.8%) in one year of the market share for people aged 25 to 49.
“We will seek to consolidate these good results in the coming months.
»
