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TF1 Launches Its First Video Podcast to Reclaim Long-Form Conversation
French broadcaster TF1 is stepping into the long-form space with its first video podcast, “Pourquoi faire compliqué?” hosted by journalist and economist François Lenglet.
The concept: a space for political and economic figures to discuss the “invisible mechanisms” that hold back French society.
The first guest? Former Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire, who, just days earlier, appeared on Brut to explain how he left the government only hours after joining it.
The show is available in video on TF1+, YouTube, and TF1info, and in audio on all major podcast platforms — Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and more.
A Familiar Voice in a Freer Format
François Lenglet has long been known as the man who explains economics on TV — but this time, he’s exploring a different register.
“In traditional media, there are codes to follow. In a podcast, you’re closer to who you really are. The conversation is freer, sometimes less structured — but that’s the freshness of it.”
This new format gives him space to tackle complex topics with more depth — away from live broadcast pressure and the rigidity of TV sets. The result: a more human, more natural, and often more honest exchange.
When Video Builds Trust
Adding video to a podcast adds a unique layer of connection:
- The visuals bring proximity — you see gestures, expressions, and sincerity.
- The pacing of audio keeps the focus on thoughtful dialogue.
- The video clips make it easy to go viral and share across platforms.
By combining the two, TF1 manages to extend its news brand into a format where trust is rebuilt through conversation.
A New Way to Tell Stories
By inviting guests like Bruno Le Maire to speak “off set,” TF1 is experimenting with a new media grammar — one where dialogue replaces debate, and pedagogy takes the place of confrontation.
It’s a clear nod to platforms such as Legend, Thinkerview and Brut, which have mastered long, open-format conversations with political figures.
For TF1, the goal is simple: keep the audience from drifting toward new players.
A Simple, Effective “Radio-on-Camera” Setup
The set revealed in the teaser is minimalist but clever: two guests facing each other, three cameras, two microphones, a large screen, and focused lighting.
The big screen backdrop looks particularly good in in the final cut — understated but impactful.
A Different François Lenglet
In this version, Lenglet drops the formality — he even uses the informal “tu” with Bruno Le Maire, something that would never happen on television. The two acknowledge their familiarity openly rather than hiding it. It can feel disconcerting at first, but it has the merit of putting everything on the table: the rapport is stated, not disguised — a subtle nod, perhaps, to the Legrand–Cohen–PS affair that stirred French media earlier this season.
The visuals follow the same stripped-back logic: glasses pushed up, shirt slightly open — a TV setup pared down to its essentials, free of the old-school gloss. A chilled, unvarnished atmosphere that contrasts with what we usually see on air.
A Smart Two-Step Tease
TF1’s launch strategy was simple but sharp:
- Step 1 — Behind the scenes: a short, rough-cut “making-of” video with Le Maire joking, “Quel matos !” (“Nice setup!”).
- Step 2 — The drop: an edited excerpt released the day of the premiere — the one that caught fire across newsrooms, just like Brut did with its own viral launch.
What to Take Away
- TF1 launches its first long-form video podcast hosted by François Lenglet.
- Goals:
- Establish TF1 in the long-talk format, where conversation unfolds over time.
- Reach audiences who’ve drifted away from traditional TV.
- Launch strategy: start with an imperfect, behind-the-scenes tease to spark curiosity, then follow up with the polished final extract to drive sharing and visibility.
