Miss France show a ratings hit for TF1
Despite annual controversy, gala event remains a major TV draw for broadcaster
Nearly 7million television viewers tuned in to TF1 to see Clémence Botino crowned Miss France 2020 in Marseille at the weekend.
The audience figure of 6.87million is down on 2019, when 7.35million viewers tuned in, but Miss Guadaloupe's midnight 'coronation' as Miss France in Marseille on Sunday gave the broadcaster viewing bragging rights by some considerable margin.
TV audience numbers are similar to those for a France men's international football match at Stade de France.
Importantly for the broadcaster, this year's audience share of a key advertising market - women under 50 - reached 50.7% compared to 47% last year.
The gala show's nearest rival on traditional French TV was Mongeville on France 3, which was watched by 4.1million, while Laurent Ruquier's Les Grosses têtes on France 2 was seen by nearly 2million viewers. M6's US import Hawaii 5-0 tempted 1.66million viewers.
Advertising turnover during each show in recent years has been around €5million, according to estimates by independent firms.
Read more: For and against: Miss France beauty pageant
