Laurent Ruquier, Josiane Balasko, Ava Djamshidi: First T18 Programs Revealed
T18 Channel Launching June 6, 2025, with Ruquier at the Helm
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PARIS – The new TNT channel, T18, backed by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, is set to launch on friday, June 6, 2025. Laurent Ruquier, a well-known television personality, will inaugurate the channel with the premiere of “T18, it is indeed now” at 7:45 p.m. Ruquier, along with Matthieu Croissandeau and Ava Djamshidi, will introduce the channel’s programming slate, which was revealed Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Key programs to Anchor T18’s Schedule
T18’s schedule will be built around three core programs.
“To be honest” with Matthieu Croissandeau
Matthieu Croissandeau, formerly a political editorialist for BFMTV, will host “To be honest” weeknights at 10:30 p.m., starting June 6. A rebroadcast of the previous night’s show will air daily at midday.
“[En]quest for meaning” with Ava djamshidi
Ava Djamshidi, the current editor-in-chief of “Elle” magazine, will lead weekly in-depth discussions on Monday evenings. Her program, “[En]quest for meaning,” will follow the broadcast of a documentary or prime-time film, focusing on significant social and current events issues. The first episode is scheduled for Monday,June 9,2025,after the premiere of the documentary ”Mental Load,” directed by Claire Denavarre.
“Chez Ruquier” with Laurent Ruquier
Laurent Ruquier will also host a weekly cultural program on Saturday evenings. “chez Ruquier” will air between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., beginning Saturday, June 14, 2025. According to a channel press release, the program will “welcome those who make cultural news in all its dimensions.” A rebroadcast is planned for later in the evening. This show will compete with “What era!” hosted by Léa Salamé on France 2.
Additional Programming
In addition to these flagship programs, T18 will offer “T Déco” (6:25 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) and “do at home” (7:30 p.m.-8:40 p.m.), each featuring two new episodes daily. The channel also plans to air “more than 3,000 hours of documentaries,” “prime-time cinema, with author and general public films,” and at least 25 live performance broadcasts per year.
TNT channel Realignment
T18 will be available on channel 18. The launch of T18 and Novo19, the Ouest-France group’s channel expected on September 1, 2025, combined with Canal+ on channel 4, has led to a significant reorganization of TNT channel numbers. T18 will replace Gulli on channel 18. The M6 group’s youth channel had been temporarily occupying channel 12.
France 4, currently on channel 14, will move to channel 4 on June 6, positioned between France 3 and France 5, channels of the France Télévisions group. LCP-Public Senate, currently on channel 13, will move to channel 8, behind Arte. This reshuffling allows for the four TNT news channels to be grouped together. BFMTV and CNews, previously on channels 15 and 16, will each move up two slots, followed by LCI on channel 15 and Franceinfo on channel 16.
Prime-Time Schedule: First Week
The following films and shows are scheduled for the first week of T18:
- Friday, June 6, 2025: “Yves Saint-Laurent,” film starring pierre Niney
- Saturday, June 7, 2025: “Ramses II,” play with François Berléand, Eric Elmosnino, and Evelyne Buyle
- Sunday, June 8, 2025: “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” film directed by daniel kwan and Daniel Scheinert with Michelle Yeoh
- Monday, June 9, 2025: “The Mental Charge,” documentary directed by Claire Denavarre, featured on “[En]quest for meaning” hosted by Ava Djamshidi
- Tuesday, June 10, 2025: “Bonaparte, the Egyptian campaign,” historical documentary
- Wednesday, June 11, 2025: “Barbara law,” fiction with Josiane Balasko
- Thursday, June 12, 2025: “The lawyer,” film starring Benoît Magimel
- Friday, june 13, 2025: “Marie-Antoinette: Versailles Secret,” historical documentary
T18 Channel Launch: Your Burning Q&As Answered
get ready, French TV fans! A new channel, T18, is launching on June 6, 2025, promising a fresh mix of programming. Let’s dive into everything you need to know, in a clear, easy-to-understand Q&A format.
- “To be honest” with Matthieu Croissandeau (weeknights at 10:30 p.m.)
- “[En]quest for meaning” with Ava Djamshidi (weekly on Mondays)
- “Chez Ruquier” with Laurent Ruquier (weekly on saturdays)
- “T Déco” (6:25 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
- “Do at home” (7:30 p.m. – 8:40 p.m.)
- More than 3,000 hours of documentaries
- Prime-time cinema
- At least 25 live performance broadcasts per year.
- T18 replaces Gulli on channel 18.
- France 4 moves to channel 4.
- LCP-Public Senate moves to channel 8.
- BFMTV and CNews move up two slots.
- LCI moves to channel 15 and Franceinfo to channel 16.
| Date | Program | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, June 6, 2025 | “Yves Saint-Laurent” | Film starring Pierre Niney |
| Saturday, June 7, 2025 | “ramses II” | Play with François Berléand, Eric Elmosnino, and Evelyne Buyle |
| Sunday, June 8, 2025 | “Everything Everywhere All at Once” | Film directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert with Michelle Yeoh |
| Monday, June 9, 2025 | “The Mental Load” | Documentary directed by Claire Denavarre, featured on “[En]quest for meaning” |
| Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | “Bonaparte, the Egyptian campaign” | Past Documentary |
| Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | “Barbara law” | Fiction starring Josiane Balasko |
| Thursday, June 12, 2025 | “The lawyer” | Film starring Benoît Magimel |
| Friday, June 13, 2025 | “Marie-antoinette: Versailles Secret” | Historical Documentary |
this new channel launch is definitely something to watch out for. For more details, stay tuned to T18!