The Canal+ group subsidiary and its star host Cyril Hanouna are attempting to mobilize public opinion, just a few days before a hearing before the French Council of State.
C8 and Cyril Hanouna are mobilizing their viewers. The channel launched a petition on Friday in a bid to retain its DTT frequency, as its broadcasting authorization has not been renewed by Arcom.the French broadcasting regulator. The Canal+ group (Vivendi) channel, which has been fined 7.6 million euros for the numerous excesses of its star host, Cyril Hanouna, is due to go off the air on February 28.
In the space of 48 hours, the petition “Soutien à la chaîne C8: défendons la 1ère chaîne de la TNT et sauvons des emplois!” has gathered over 170,000 signatures. “Every day, more than 9.6 million cumulative viewers watch C8 programs. C8 is the first DTT channel to which the public is deeply attached.“explains the document.
Last month, the channel saw its audience grow to reach 3.5% of the public, according to Médiamétrie data. It maintained its number-one ranking among DTT channels, ahead of TMC at 3%. Its engine, Touche pas à mon postehosted by Cyril Hanounarecorded “historic records”, with an average of 2.1 million viewers and an audience share of 27.8% among 15-24 year-olds, according to a press release from the channel, owned by the Canal+ group.
In its petition, C8 points out that “the stakes are high: to preserve a company and a model of audiovisual creation that inspires and entertains a wide audience, while supporting a multitude of professions that bring this sector to life”.“. And to emphasize that “400 people are at risk of losing their jobs, including direct collaborators, production companies, technical service providers etc…“
A crucial hearing at the Conseil d’Etat
This petition follows the initiative of NRJ 12, which is also due to go off air on February 28. In October, the NRJ Group channel created the “I support NRJ 12!” platform.where viewers are invited to post their messages of support.
Above all, this petition comes just a few days before a crucial hearing before the Conseil d’Etat. On November 15, C8 and NRJ 12 will appeal to the highest administrative court against Arcom’s decision to exclude them from the process of reallocating 15 DTT frequencies in 2025.
To mobilize C8 fans as much as possible and try to change the course of events, Cyril Hanouna displayed an on-screen QR code on his talk show, inviting viewers to scan it and sign the petition. “For me, it’s only the viewers who decide. The rest doesn’t matter.”insisted the host.
If the C8 channel disappears on February 28, Cyril Hanouna has announced that he will remain with the Canal+ group.where he is working to create a multimedia offering on the Internet and in print, in addition to television.