Léa Salamé will take the reins of the 8pm news on France 2, replacing Anne-Sophie Lapix.

France Télévisions has decided to accelerate. Following Caroline Roux's about-face, who ultimately declined to present the 8 p.m. news on France 2, Léa Salamé will take over, the public broadcasting group announced. She will replace Anne-Sophie Lapix, who is due to leave her position on Thursday, June 26. " We are pleased to be able to count on her talent and her strong connection with the public to uphold, along with the entire editorial team, our high standards for the major 8 p.m. news ," declared Delphine Ernotte, president of France Télévisions, on Thursday, immediately after signing the contract with the journalist. " A great journalist and figure of the public service, Léa has championed major democratic and civic events in recent years and has skillfully embodied the coverage of the Paris 2024 Games. For the past two years, she has been revitalizing the public service's Saturday evenings with Quelle Époque!", the director boasted.

As a result, Léa Salamé will be leaving the France Inter morning show, which she has hosted for several years alongside Nicolas Demorand. The 45-year-old journalist has informed France Inter management of " her wish to leave the morning show for new professional projects ," the station said in a statement. " Her relationship with France Inter is not over ," added the station's director, Adèle Van Reeth, however, mentioning discussions around " new projects for the future ."

" Léa Salamé has every interest in withdrawing from the France Inter morning show now, when ratings are at their highest," confides a media expert. " It was time to move on ," he continues. " The 8 p.m. news wasn't her preferred option ," says a source familiar with the matter. "She probably negotiated to have a free hand to modernize the format and embody it more. The idea, in any case, is not to slip into her predecessor's shoes. She has too much character for that; she will impose her own mark ," assures this source.

But this choice raises questions. The journalist is often perceived as divisive, even though the 8 p.m. news broadcast generally requires attracting the widest possible audience. Above all, the average age of viewers of France Télévisions' news program is over 60. " Since it was extended, this news program has been losing momentum anyway. Recruiting Léa Salamé sends a strong signal ," says one media observer. At a time when the program offerings have become overflowing, " she brings real distinction ," analyzes a production company.

More information to follow...