William Leymergie Leaves C8 for CNews
Leymergie Jumps Ship: veteran Anchor Heads to CNews as C8 Faces Uncertain Future
Paris, France – As the clock ticks down on C8’s potential shutdown in February 2025, veteran anchor William Leymergie has made a surprising move. Sources confirm to Public.fr that Leymergie will be joining CNews, the news channel within the canal+ group, marking a significant shift for the 77-year-old broadcaster.”This wasn’t his initial plan,” a source close to Leymergie revealed. “But opportunities aren’t exactly flooding in, and he has a somewhat demanding reputation in the industry.”
Leymergie’s departure comes amidst uncertainty surrounding C8’s future. While a petition is underway to save the channel, the French media regulator, Arcom, currently intends to pull the plug next year.
The move to CNews presents a challenge for the network, which will need to find a suitable slot for the seasoned anchor. Leymergie will be joining a lineup that already includes popular figures like pascal Praud, Sonia Mabrouk, and Laurence Ferrari.
For now, the specifics of Leymergie’s role at CNews remain unclear.Since 2017, he has hosted the midday magazine show “William à Midi!” on C8, a slot currently occupied by Sonia Mabrouk on CNews. Mabrouk recently returned from maternity leave, having been temporarily replaced by Laurence Ferrari.Beyond C8,Leymergie also hosts “Balades en France” on Europe 1 radio,a weekly program that airs Sundays between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. his longtime partner,Sophie Davant,also has a presence on Europe 1,hosting ”Les histoires d’amour extraordinaires” on weekends.Davant has also expanded her reach, hosting “En bonne compagnie,” a weekly animal-focused program on France 3 since early 2024.
Leymergie’s Leap: A Veteran Anchor Navigates Uncertain Seas
NewsDirectroy3 exclusive Interview with Media Analyst Anne-Sophie Dupont
ND3: William Leymergie’s move to CNews has sent shockwaves through the french media landscape. Can you shed some light on this surprising development?
Dupont: Leymergie’s departure from C8, while unexpected, isn’t entirely shocking given the looming uncertainty surrounding the channel’s future. With Arcom’s decision to potentially pull the plug in february 2025, Leymergie may be securing his future by jumping ship now.
ND3: How significant is this move for CNews?
Dupont: This is a major coup for CNews. Leymergie brings decades of experience and a loyal following.However, integrating him into an already established lineup featuring prominent figures like Pascal Praud, Sonia Mabrouk, and Laurence Ferrari will be a challenge. CNews will need to carefully curate his role to avoid any clashes or overlaps.
ND3: What could Leymergie’s role at CNews look like?
Dupont:His experience in hosting magazine shows like “William à Midi!” on C8 makes him a strong candidate for a similar format on cnews, potentially during a prime-time slot. However, given Mabrouk’s recent return from maternity leave, finding a suitable time slot might be tricky.
ND3: Do you see this move as a signal of C8’s imminent demise?
Dupont: While Leymergie’s departure certainly doesn’t bode well for C8, it’s not necessarily a death knell. The ongoing petition to save the channel demonstrates public support, and Arcom’s decision may still be subject to change. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold.