Léa Salamé Transitioning to France 2’s 20 Heures as New Anchor

Léa Salamé, a prominent figure in French media, is set to take the helm of the '20 Heures' news program on France 2, marking a significant shift in her career. This transition comes after more than a decade co-hosting the morning show '7/10' on France Inter, where she has built a substantial audience of 1.80 million listeners, greatly outpacing competitors like RTL. France Télévisions announced her new role, confirming that Salamé will replace Anne-Sophie Lapix as the lead anchor starting in the fall.

Management at France Télévisions recognized Salamé's importance to their broadcasting strategy and made considerable efforts to retain her, allowing her to maintain her popular Saturday night talk show 'Quelle Époque!' alongside her new duties. The decision followed a three-week period of speculation regarding her career moves, often referred to as 'the mystery Salamé' in media circles. After previously declining the same position in 2017, Salamé has now embraced this opportunity, highlighting her evolution within the broadcasting landscape.

Salamé’s departure from France Inter is notable, particularly given her close relations with co-host Nicolas Demorand, whose potential exit could significantly affect the morning show's future. As she embarks on this new role, there are concerns about how she will navigate political reporting, especially given her partner Raphaël Glucksmann's involvement in politics, raising questions about impartiality during upcoming electoral coverage.

This transition not only changes the dynamics of France Inter's morning programming but also sets the stage for Salamé's future impact on French news television. As she steps into her new position, both audiences and industry insiders are keenly observing how she will handle her responsibilities at France 2 while continuing her engaging Saturday night discussions.