Delphine Ernotte Cunci, born in 1966 in Bayonne, represents a unique trajectory in the French media landscape. Coming from a family of Basque doctors, she entered the École centrale Paris and graduated in 1989. Thus began a career that was both technical and strategic, starting at France Télécom, the future Orange.
For twenty-six years, she climbed the ranks in a world where women remain rare. She advanced from financial analysis to commercial management. Then, she became head of Orange France under Stéphane Richard. There, she faced the upheavals of the "Next" plan, whose social consequences left a deep mark. She spoke of a "mix of guilt and denial."
A Controversial Appointment at the Head of France Télévisions
In April 2015, the CSA appointed her as president of France Télévisions, becoming the first woman in this position. However, this appointment sparked strong criticism. Several unions contested the procedure, citing a climate of cronyism. Suspicions of plagiarism, political support, and irregularities loomed, without any charges being upheld by the justice system.
Despite the opposition, she took office in August 2015. From the start, she asserted a clear line: modernize public service and restore trust. The replacement of David Pujadas, the creation of franceinfo, or the merger of regional networks into Ici illustrate this desire for change.
A Proactive Digital Strategy
Her stated ambition is to transform france.tv into a digital hub. She restructures teams around two poles: premium and creative, to adapt content to contemporary uses. However, she acknowledges that the shift to digital remains unfinished.
Budget constraints push her to rationalize. She advocates for less costly production and renegotiates collective agreements. Moreover, her second term, which began in 2020, emphasizes diversity and European anchoring. She is elected president of the European Broadcasting Union, a first for a woman.
A Divisive Leader
Since 2015, she declared: "We have a television of white men over 50." The statement caused an uproar. She was accused of discrimination, while some long-standing presenters, like Julien Lepers or Patrick Sébastien, left the air.
Her feminist commitment is claimed. She established the Innov’Elles network at Orange, then implemented a proactive policy of gender parity on air at France Télévisions. Diversity even becomes a performance criterion for some executives, triggering other controversies, particularly around public funding.
A Resilient and Connected Strategist
While Delphine Ernotte Cunci presents herself as "a business leader and nothing else," her network is extensive. She is president of CentraleSupélec, sits on the boards of Centquatre and the National School of Photography. She is also a member of the Le Siècle club.
Her sister, Marie-Christine Lemardeley, is deputy mayor of Paris. Her husband, actor Marc Ernotte, introduced her to literary creation. She directed Sceptick, a play by her husband. She reveals little about her private life but claims her popular heritage, between railway workers and doctors.
A Transformation, But at What Cost?
Under her leadership, France Télévisions created Okoo, Lumni, and reformed its networks. But the public holding project, associating Radio France and INA, arouses strikes and mistrust. Unions see it as a loss of identity, accentuated by a net reduction of 1,000 jobs over ten years.
Criticism persists, regarding audiences, editorial choices, or governance style. In 2017, a vote of no confidence was passed with 84%. However, she continues her transformation, at the cost of an assertive authority.
Fifteen Years to Redefine Public Service
In May 2025, Delphine Ernotte Cunci obtained a third term. An unprecedented event in the history of France Télévisions. She could eventually preside over the future public audiovisual holding.
This longevity demonstrates an extraordinary resilience, but raises questions about the concentration of power. In a disrupted media landscape, she embodies both continuity and change. The face of a profound transformation, even if not everyone identifies with it.