Laurent Ruquier: Is His TV Career Over? New Beginning?
Laurent Ruquier‘s Departure from RTL
Laurent Ruquier concluded his 17-year run on RTL on June 23, 2023, marking the end of an era for the popular French radio program “Les Grosses Têtes.”
Ruquier hosted “Les Grosses Têtes” – a show known for its panel of personalities discussing current events and personal anecdotes – every Saturday morning.His departure followed a decision by RTL to revamp its programming,leading to negotiations that ultimately didn’t result in a renewed contract. He initially joined RTL in 2006,quickly establishing the show as a ratings success. The program consistently attracted a large audience, becoming a staple of weekend radio listening in France.
According to Le Figaro, Ruquier’s final broadcast on June 23, 2023, drew an average of 1.78 million listeners, representing a 26.4% audience share. Source: Le Figaro. He has since moved to RMC, launching a new show titled ”Ruquier sur RMC” on August 26, 2023.
Ruquier’s new Role at RMC
Laurent Ruquier debuted “Ruquier sur RMC” on August 26, 2023, continuing his format of a talk show featuring a panel of guests.
The move to RMC, a station owned by NextRadioTV, allowed Ruquier to maintain a similar program style while gaining more creative control. The show aims to replicate the success of “Les Grosses Têtes” by offering a blend of humor, debate, and personal stories. RMC positioned the program as a key part of its weekend lineup, hoping to attract listeners from Ruquier’s established fanbase.
In its first broadcast, “Ruquier sur RMC” attracted 900,000 listeners, according to Ozap. This initial audience figure, while lower than his peak numbers at RTL, indicated a strong base of loyal listeners followed him to the new station. The show airs every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
The Context of RTL’s Programming Changes
RTL’s decision to part ways with Laurent Ruquier was part of a broader restructuring of the station’s weekend programming in 2023.
The changes were initiated by Stéphane Sitbon-Gomez, RTL’s director of programming, who aimed to attract a younger demographic and refresh the station’s overall sound.this involved replacing established programs with new formats and personalities. The move sparked debate within the French media landscape, with some criticizing RTL for abandoning a successful formula. However, RTL maintained that the changes were necessary to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving media habitat.
According to a report by Challenges on June 26, 2023, RTL aimed to increase its audience share among listeners aged 25-49 by 15% within the following year through these programming changes. Source: Challenges.The station also invested in new digital platforms and podcast content to reach a wider audience.