Intervilles to Return in 2026 Amid Criticism Over New Format
*Intervilles* will return in 2026 despite low ratings and controversy over its new format.
- • France Télévisions confirms *Intervilles* will return in 2026.
- • The finale on July 24 attracted 2.4 million viewers, down from 3.35 million on premiere.
- • Critics, including co-creator Claude Savarit, lambasted the absence of live cattle.
- • The new format is said to enjoy popularity among younger audiences, despite criticism.
Key details
France Télévisions has announced that the beloved game show *Intervilles* will make a comeback in 2026, despite facing significant backlash over declining viewership and format changes. The show's recent season finale on July 24 attracted around 2.4 million viewers, down from a premiere audience of 3.35 million on July 3. This decline was alarming, as subsequent episodes saw numbers drop to as low as 2 million viewers. France Télévisions, however, emphasized the program's popularity among younger demographics, boasting a 39.1% share among four to 14-year-olds and 22.9% among viewers aged 15-24.
The revamped format, which features a smaller set and the replacement of live cattle with a mascot named Topa, has drawn considerable criticism on social media. Claude Savarit, a co-creator of the original *Intervilles*, expressed his discontent, condemning the new version as 'grotesque and disqualifying' and asserting that the authenticity of the original concept has been lost. He stated, 'the *Intervilles* of Nagui is no longer *Intervilles*!'
Despite these controversies and mixed reviews, France Télévisions is moving forward with plans to revitalize the show and address feedback in hopes of enhancing viewer satisfaction before its anticipated return.