Demonstrations, riots… At the summit in October, news channel audiences break records

A record. The days of social mobilization, punctuated by scenes of riots and looting of incredible violence, caused the audience figures of news channels to panic in October. Between them, BFMTV, CNews, LCI and Franceinfo brought together 11.2% of viewers.

As in September, BFMTV and CNews share the lead of the quartet with a tied 3.6% audience share. The CMA Media channel, which returned to first place in March and has not left it since, recorded its best audiences since April 2022. On Saturday October 17, it peaked at 7.2% PDA, thus ahead of its rivals and even, a rare occurrence, the M6 ​​channel. Taking advantage of its very strong coverage of the field, it once again placed itself in the lead on Saturdays, October 24 and 31. The news channel also strengthened its advantage over CSP+ viewers, and over viewers aged 25 to 49. On this popular target for advertisers, it brings together 4% of the public, a record level “for years”, underlines Fabien Namias, general director of BFMTV. While there has never been so much focus on youth, the world of work and purchasing power, these audiences demonstrate that BFMTV is aimed at the entire country, regardless of age or social origin.”

In a month marked by high school and student protests, CNews also recorded a historic monthly record among 25-49 year olds, with 2.4% audience share. The Canal+ group's news channel placed at the top of the audiences 25 times in October, including four tied with BFMTV. She particularly performed well during the days following the mobilizations (Sunday October 18, for example), confirming the success of her commentary meetings and her political interviews. The channel maintains a decisive advantage over its rivals: although it reaches fewer viewers than BFMTV, it is the one that the public watches for the longest. Nearly 37 minutes, or 9 minutes more than the CMA-CGM channel.

Airtime penalized LCI, which, although third on the podium, reaches more viewers on average than CNews. But these stay on its antenna for much less time. With a 2.8% audience share, the TF1 Group channel nevertheless confirms that it has set up a three-way match with its competitors. “The channel achieved the second best monthly audience in its history and posted the strongest growth of news channels over one year,” indicates Guillaume Debré. More and more French people are adhering to our editorial proposal: more than 10 million of them get their news every day from LCI.” Very identified with geopolitics, the channel has strengthened its treatment of political news in the run-up to the presidential election, which has notably boosted its morning shows.

Franceinfo brings up the rear with 1.2% audience share, an almost stable audience over one month and over one year (+0.1 point).