La suite après la publicité
Welcome to T18: A New Chapter in French Television
On June 6, 2025, French television witnessed the birth of a new network: T18. The launch event was marked by enthusiasm, hosted by Laurent Ruquier, a well-known figure in the French media landscape. He opened the show with the words, "3, 2, 1, T18, c’est parti", signifying the start of T18’s journey. The executive team present during the launch included Valérie Salomon, president of CMI France, Denis Olivennes, chairman of the supervisory board, and Christopher Baldelli, president of the channel.
Earlier that day, in a significant shift, Gulli had vacated channel 18, making way for T18’s programming loop, which was abruptly launched at 7:45 PM. This technical maneuver marked the end of a decade-long wait for a new channel on the TNT (Télévision Numérique Terrestre).
Star-Studded Opening Night
As Ruquier settled into his role as the inaugural host, he expressed his excitement, saying: "Welcome to T18, I am the first to have the privilege of saying this." Surrounded by Matthieu Croissandeau and Ava Djamshidi, he noted the long wait since a new channel graced French airwaves. Ruquier humorously acknowledged his previous collaboration with Olivennes and Baldelli, both former bosses of his on Europe 1 and RTL.
The first guest featured on T18 was Zabou Breitman, the chain’s godmother, who joined in via video. She announced the premiere of her film, "Se souvenir des belles choses," set to air on June 28, 2025, during prime time.
Innovative Programming and New Faces
The programming lineup features several exciting shows. One of the highlights includes Matthieu Croissandeau presenting "Pour tout dire," an evening news program designed as an alternative to Karim Rissouli’s "C ce soir," which airs at the same time on France 5. This gives viewers an opportunity for diverse viewpoints in the evening news landscape.
Adding more depth to T18’s editorial offerings is Raphaël Enthoven, a well-known essayist and philosopher, who will serve as a regular contributor. His presence is no coincidence; he has been deeply involved in the development of T18, including participating in hearings with Arcom last summer.
On June 9, Ava Djamshidi will lead a new segment called "[En]quête de sens," which will extend discussions initiated by documentaries or films aired in the earlier time slots. The first episode will focus on the concept of mental load, a pertinent topic in contemporary society.
Additionally, Julie Andrieu is set to join the channel in the fall, focusing on travel and discovery. Her show will aim to unveil the hidden gems of cities like Venice and Rome, encouraging viewers to step off the beaten path and immerse themselves in local experiences and cuisines.
Prime Time Line-Up for T18
The inaugural week features a series of illustrious programming slated for prime time:
- Friday, June 6, 2025: "Yves Saint-Laurent," a film featuring Pierre Niney.
- Saturday, June 7, 2025: "Ramsès II," a theatrical performance starring François Berléand and Éric Elmosnino.
- Sunday, June 8, 2025: "Everything Everywhere All at Once," directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, featuring Michelle Yeoh.
- Monday, June 9, 2025: "La charge mentale," a documentary led by Ava Djamshidi (exclusive).
- Tuesday, June 10, 2025: "Bonaparte, la campagne d’Égypte," a historical documentary.
- Wednesday, June 11, 2025: "La loi de Barbara," a fictional piece starring Josiane Balasko.
- Thursday, June 12, 2025: "L’avocat," a film with Benoît Magimel (exclusive).
- Friday, June 13, 2025: "Marie-Antoinette: Versailles secret," a historical documentary.
With a promising lineup and seasoned figures at the helm, T18 intends to carve out a unique space in the competitive landscape of French television. Through innovative programming and relevant content, T18 aims to captivate its audience and stand out as a fresh alternative.
The launch not only reflects a new chapter for the TNT landscape but serves as a beacon of optimism for media consumers seeking diverse programming. As T18 settles into its routine, viewers and industry stakeholders alike will be keen to see how this new player disrupts the norms and enriches the broadcast media experience in France.