An exceptional event, an (almost) exceptional device for France 2. On the occasion of the revelation of the route of the Olympic flame this Friday, the presenter Julian Bugier relocates his “1 p.m.” once again. The journalist and his team will be live from the Trocadéro in Paris, in the company of guests such as swimmer Florent Manaudou, one of the “super ambassadors” of the flame, Justine Dupont, vice world champion of surfing or Tony Estanguet , President of the Organizing Committee for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
This special one-hour edition will look at the various stages of the torch across France and will highlight various initiatives “carried out all over the territory to bring these Olympics to life”, explains Julian Bugier at 20 minutes. There is in particular this challenge of connecting all the Olympic cities that a couple of retirees from Vaucluse have set themselves. Or the work of an association in Liévin in Hauts-de-France to allow children from disadvantaged neighborhoods to attend events.
Why did you choose to relocate this “1 p.m.”?
We really want to participate in the great celebration of the Olympic Games. We chose to relocate the set to give a somewhat eventful dimension to this announcement. The flame will cross France and will be a magnificent showcase for tourism, heritage, gastronomy and what I call “the French spirit”, that is to say French values and all that we vehicle around the world. It seemed important to me to be at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, where the opening ceremony will take place.
Do you already know the course or will you discover it live as well?
I know part of it. We set up a partnership with the Olympic committee so we were lucky to have it a little early. Many communities have already communicated at the local level, we already had little clues about the emblematic places that would be crossed by the flame. We had additional indiscretions that allowed us to build this great show. I believe that there is also a curiosity of the French to know if the flame will pass next to their home, if they will be able to be the torchbearers. There will be just over 11,000 with a device that will allow everyone to apply to carry the flame for a few hundred meters.
Is there also a desire to exchange with Parisians, whose city will be at the heart of sports news next year?
It will be in a second time. What we wanted to bring to life for the people who watch us and who are still mostly in the provinces, is also to tell this kind of national communion that there can be around the course of the flame. In all the municipalities, all the villages, all the magnificent sites that make up the wealth of French tourism, there will be a resonance. In all the stage towns – there are more than 60 – there will be excitement and parties will be organised. For example, we will celebrate the millennium of the city of Marseille. The French may not have realized what is going to happen yet, that’s normal because it’s in a few months, but it’s going to be an insane event.
You have experienced the relocation of your news several times. Did this format meet your expectations?
It is a great success, we are really very happy to have set up this meeting. One of the markers of the “13 heures” is to meet the French people, talk about the issues that cross their daily lives and be in direct contact with the people concerned. We had several approaches, the first was during the presidential campaign around societal debates in the broad sense: insecurity, ecology, medical deserts, purchasing power… Then a second sequence opened up from last September on environmental issues. With the forest fires, the repeated heat waves, the bad weather which have multiplied, I think that the French have really become aware that something is happening from a climatic point of view. There is also a need for decryption. Going to meet the French people, elected officials and civil society actors who are on the move and who are implementing emergency solutions at the local level but also things in the longer term, is also part of our mission to highlight them.
Are the viewers happy to meet you close to home?
The welcome we are given each time is quite formidable. People are interested in our approach. We have a vocation to continue these relocations. There will be the Olympic Games but we will also continue to talk about the environment because it is a major subject. In particular, we plan to do one on the melting of glaciers and the climate issue around the Chamonix valley and Mont Blanc, for example.
You had announced to Tele-Leisure » set up a system for calculating your carbon footprint. What gave it?
A new editorial team will be set up from September on climate and environmental issues. Journalists will be dedicated full time and will accompany us in this perspective to measure the carbon footprint of our relocations. When we talk about these subjects, we must also apply them to ourselves! We did it in a very concrete way: we drastically reduced the number of journalists, technicians and the “1 p.m.” caravan that we put in place when we relocate. We managed to find a system with a dedicated team that is relatively light. It can also be seen in a certain way on the air where we are really in direct contact, there is no more set and structure, we do it very lightly and that too is a source of pride.
What is your assessment of this season?
She went full throttle! It’s also what makes the charm of our profession, it means that we are passionate when things go by quickly. I think we managed to confirm what we had decided to put in place last season with a “1 p.m.” sequenced throughout the week with recurring sections. These are real successes, in particular the column by Valérie Heurtel “An idea for France” which will be continued and even reinforced. We want to put forward new initiatives and Valérie on the air that viewers love. There are also consumer issues that we continue to deal with on a daily basis, always with service-based treatment to provide keys to understanding and action. Viewers ask us to help them make the right choice. We’re going to have a few surprises in store too. There are still things under discussion but we will continue in this direction.
Are you considering new developments?
It’s always good to be on the move. The expectations of viewers are changing, the processing of information also forces us to constantly think about how to tell the news and give keys to understanding and solutions to the people who watch us. Especially at 1 p.m. which is a listening moment and a newspaper focused on daily life in general.
You’ve been wearing this JT for almost two years, do you feel like you’ve found your cruising speed?
I think, in any case I really enjoy the exercise. On the line that we have put in place, on the appointments, on the mood also that it can emerge from the newspaper. I like this meeting because it also allows a different proximity and a form of spontaneity. I like this link with the viewers, which we have once again strengthened with the relocations. It’s nice to have direct feedback when you go to the regions. People are delighted and very happy with what we offer them and it can be a source of enrichment and ideas. I am really super happy with the result and the results.
There is always the question of audiences hanging over you, is it positive pressure?
It’s emulation. Unlike others, on the public service we are not in the race for the audience because we are primarily there to provide an information mission. But we also aim to make newspapers that are watched by as many people as possible, that’s also part of our job and our specifications. From this point of view, the trend is very positive. For two and a half years, we have gained more than three points in market share, so it’s very satisfying.