Téléfoot to leave TF1’s linear schedule, former hosts reflect on a fading era | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, TF1 will remove Téléfoot from its linear schedule after June, the brand continuing on digital and TF1+, as former presenters and reporters share their views.

Creator and first host Pierre Cangioni, who fronted the show from 1977 to 1982, was unfazed, saying he had long wondered how a Sunday morning programme with fewer match images could endure.

Michel Denisot, who presented in 1982 and 1983, felt its presence had become out of step with modern screen habits, noting that cult programmes are not eternal.

Former contributor David Astorga pointed to TF1’s long-mooted multisport plan, news access rules allowing 90 seconds of footage per competition, fewer FIFA World Cup rights, a tilt towards rugby, cost control and a digital push, arguing it was logical to end the costly linear show.

Ex-editor Frédéric Jaillant saw it as a sign of TF1’s retreat from football, after losing the Coupe de France, the Champions League and the World Cup, and said they could have waited for a 50th anniversary jubilee next year.

Pascal Praud was surprised, having been told to expect a 50th celebration, and recalled Téléfoot as his first newsroom home.

Early success owed much to big reports and match images. Cangioni said the show inspired millions of youngsters, with many now over 55 still telling him so, and Zinedine Zidane later saying he dreamed watching it as a boy.

Praud remembered significant resources and strong ratings, notably in 1990 before 7 sur 7. Highlights included Christophe Dugarry arriving with a wrist cast and, amid Knysna in 2010, Franck Ribéry turning up to apologise, driving a 4.3 million peak and a 10-minute overrun for Astorga’s sole stint as host.

Audiences later waned to around 800,000, including 679,000 on Sunday 22 March. On 14 June, TF1 will pull the show from linear, and Cangioni said he would likely watch, framing the end as part of life’s cycle.

Source: L'Équipe