The day after a turbulent media summer, Léa Salamé took over the France 2 news (8 p.m.) on Monday, September 1st, succeeding Anne-Sophie Lapix. Facing a large round table, the 45-year-old journalist promised to inform. Understanding the world as it is is her goal. Then, she will present headlines mixing France and international news. The stated objective: to establish her signature while closing the gap with TF1.
What she said at the opening of the France 2 news
"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening, welcome to the 8 p.m. news." From the outset, Léa Salamé chose sobriety. Before announcing the headlines, the journalist explained her intention. She wishes to "inform, decipher the news everywhere in France." Understanding the world as it is is also one of her goals. The former voice of the France Inter morning show expressed being "very happy to write a new page." She does this with the editorial team of France Télévisions. A short, calibrated address, and a promise: analysis and guests to add depth to the evening news hour.
First audience figures: a launch around 4 million
For this Monday, September 1st, 2025, the first of Léa Salamé on the 8 p.m. news of France 2 gathered about 4.0 million viewers, or around 21% audience share (PDA), while Gilles Bouleau (TF1) peaked at about 5.4 million (~29% PDA). The exact gaps vary according to the segments and time slots measured by Médiamétrie, but the main signal is clear: France 2 is back above the 4 million mark, but remains behind TF1. As a reference, the 2024 return of Anne-Sophie Lapix was around 4.0 million and ~21% in the first part of the news, while her very first September 4, 2017 reached 5.79 million (24.8%), a level now distant.
Competition in access: TF1 remains ahead, W9 launches "Tout beau, tout n9uf"
The "war from 8 p.m." is not fought alone. In access prime time, W9 launched the novelty "Tout beau, tout n9uf" by Cyril Hanouna, with a format similar to Touche pas à mon poste. Excluding its long introduction ("Ça commence"), the core segment of the show intrigued around 1.3 to 1.5 million curious viewers, or nearly 7% PDA depending on the parts, with a FRDA-50 close to 10%. Opposite, TMC relaunched Quotidien (~1.2 million, ~6.5%) and France 5 reopened C à vous (~780,000, ~4.5%). These figures place the first of Léa Salamé in a crowded landscape, where the fragmentation of usage affects all evening appointments.
A more lively set and a direct tone
Seated behind a large circular table, Léa Salamé presented a menu mixing national and international news. Promise of "information and revelations" on air, interview segment on set about back-to-school prices. Michel-Édouard Leclerc, president of the strategic committee E.Leclerc, also participates, with a stated desire to establish a rhythm. The new holder of the 8 p.m. news relies on short relaunches and a direct contact with the viewer. She does this without disrupting the format’s codes. The hierarchy of headlines remained classic (weather, Europe, geopolitics), with clean execution.
Why she succeeds Anne-Sophie Lapix at the France 2 news
The handover was expected since mid-June 2025: Léa Salamé left the morning show of France Inter to become the presenter of the France 2 news (8 p.m.) replacing Anne-Sophie Lapix. The latter, who had ensured the 2024 return with extended news until 8:50 p.m., then left the group. The news management of France Télévisions assumes a strategic choice: to maintain a figure known to the public, retain the Saturday night talk (Quelle époque!) and re-anchor the evening appointment against TF1. The stated goal: reduce the gap with TF1 and tighten the base of loyal viewers in the era of non-linear usage.
Trajectory: from radio to the "8 p.m. news"
Born in Beirut in 1979, Léa Salamé grew up in Paris from 1984. Trained at Sciences Po Paris, at Assas (University Paris-Panthéon-Assas) and at NYU, she started at LCP-Public Sénat then at France 24 (from 2006) before joining i-Télé (now CNews). On France 2, she made her mark with On n’est pas couché (from 2014), then took over in 2017 the morning 7/9 of France Inter alongside Nicolas Demorand. She created Femmes puissantes (interviews and books), then launched the Saturday talk "Quelle époque!" and co-hosted several national political debates (including the 2022 runoff). Useful biographies: Léa Salamé, France 2, France Télévisions
Money, negotiations, accumulation of shows: what we know
Her contract sparked comments and questions all summer. Several media outlets reported a monthly salary of around €25,000 for the 8 p.m. news. However, they also mentioned a much higher competing offer in the private sector. Delphine Ernotte, president of France Télévisions, also approved the accumulation with "Quelle époque!" on Saturday night, a point deemed decisive for the interested party. Beyond the controversy, the issue remains editorial: establishing a signature at 8 p.m. without turning the France 2 news into a talk show.
Impartiality and transparency: a public promise
Partner of MEP Raphaël Glucksmann (co-president of Place publique), Léa Salamé reiterated a rule: to withdraw from the air if a candidacy of her partner for the Élysée were to create a conflict of interest. This position, already observed during the 2019 European elections, is part of the public service’s code of ethics. For context: Raphaël Glucksmann, Place publique.
Reactions and critiques: a "round" but expected style
On social media, the first feedback highlights a calm presence, a focused camera gaze, and a direct tone. Others point out the lack of break with previous editions. For a first night, Léa Salamé avoided overdoing it: no gadgets, no set revolution, but some production choices (wide shots, measured movements) and an editing that leaves room for reports and fact-checking formats.
In prime time, a good launch for France 2’s fiction
Later in the evening, France 2 dominated with the launch of the series "Surface" with Laura Smet and Tomer Sisley: more than 3.4 million viewers and around 18% PDA for the first two episodes, while M6 offered "L’Amour est dans le pré" (~3.2 million, ~18.5% and a very high FRDA-50), and TF1 aired "Rien ne t’efface" (~3.0 million, ~17%). These figures confirm a competitive return across the board.
What to watch in the coming weeks
— Stability: the ability of the 8 p.m. news on France 2 to consolidate the 4 million mark over time, beyond the "first effect."
— Signature: the choice of topics, the place of guests on set, and the pedagogy on international issues (reaffirmed promise).
— Balance: the articulation between the sobriety of the news and the embodiment specific to Léa Salamé, without slipping into talk.
— Digital transition: the circulation of excerpts, maps, and short formats on france.tv is a key lever. Additionally, the group’s networks play an essential role in the face of linear erosion.
In summary
A controlled debut for Léa Salamé: sober, readable, and without rupture. The starting audience (≈ 4 million) places France 2 behind TF1, but at the expected level for a return. The challenge now begins: anchoring the promised explanatory line and retaining a demanding audience are essential. Moreover, it is necessary to gradually reduce the gap with TF1 while preserving the neutrality expected of the public service.
