The health crisis has hit the television world hard. If the shootings of Do not forget the lyrics and 12 noon shots were able to resume without an audience, other shows are in danger. This is particularly the case of Fort Boyard, whose future today seems uncertain. On Wednesday May 6, 2020, Takis Candilis, deputy managing director for France Televisions, said that strict measures would be put in place to best protect the teams and participants of the cult game. "We work with production. Applicants will wear masks. We will use several boats instead of one to reach the fort. We have specially created confined games that allow us to respect barrier gestures and distance", he explained in an interview with the Parisian. But that was without counting on another major concern.
"Insurance companies have decided not to insure us"
Friday June 5, 2020, the producer of Fort Boyard, Alexia Laroche-Joubert, was invited to the microphone of Media culture on Europe 1. And the least we can say is that his statements were far from reassuring. "It's rare that I speak like that because I'm angry, but now I'm worried. Fort Boyard, it is a monument, both figuratively and literally and this monument is in danger"she warned before raising insurance concerns."Insurance decided not to insure us so I have millions at stake so much that if by chance we can't turn because of Covid because I have one, two, three or four cases, it's catastrophic. ALP [its production company, Editor's note] can shut down and never be able to broadcast again Fort Boyard."
Extremely worried, Alexia Laroche-Joubert hopes to succeed in mobilizing the public authorities to save the famous program, broadcast on the small screen for 28 years. "Given the heritage value of this program, given the economic value that our audiovisual sector represents overall, government must take action"It remains to be seen if the producer’s call for help will be heard.
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