Daniel Bilalian, Longtime Public Broadcaster and Veteran News Anchor, Dies at 78

Daniel Bilalian, a prominent figure in French television journalism and former face of France Télévisions’ nightly news, has died at the age of 78, his family announced Thursday via AFP. The journalist passed away following an illness at his home in Neuilly-sur-Seine, where he also served as a city councillor.

For over four decades, Bilalian was a familiar presence in French households, guiding viewers through major events with his deep voice and composed demeanor. As a war correspondent, anchor, editor-in-chief, and later head of the sports division at France Télévisions, he embodied a classic form of public service journalism—measured, authoritative, and accessible.

Born in Paris on April 10, 1947, to an Armenian tailor father and a mother from northern France, he began his career in 1968 at the L’Union de Reims newspaper. By 1971, he had joined the ORTF’s regional news bureau in Reims, moving later to Lille and then to the national editorial team at Antenne 2, where he specialized in domestic politics before stepping into the spotlight as a leading news anchor.

A Career Bridging News and Sports

Beyond anchoring the 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. news, Bilalian hosted election night coverage and produced programs such as Star à la barre and Mardi soir. From 2004 to 2016, he headed the sports department at France Télévisions—a tenure marked by internal disputes and controversies.

Among the most contentious moments were the inclusion of Miss France 2001 Elodie Gossuin in Dakar Rally coverage, editorial crises at Stade 2, and heated criticism over sexist remarks made by commentators during the Sochi 2014 Olympics, which Bilalian publicly defended: “These events… are only sport, entertainment, grounds for humor, enthusiasm, and patriotism,” he said on Europe 1.

Controversy resurfaced during the 2016 Rio Olympics, with certain comments condemned as inaccurate or “colonialist.” The French audiovisual regulator, CSA (now Arcom), issued a warning to the network citing “regrettable historical inaccuracies.”

British Wit, Audiard Style

Since retiring in 2016, Daniel Bilalian had remained out of the public eye, but his legacy lives on in the memories of colleagues and viewers alike. Former France 2 anchor Patrick Chêne praised his “elegance and very British sense of humor” on social media. Agnès Vahramian, head of franceinfo radio, honored his “kindness, passion for the news, and commitment to public service broadcasting.”

A discreet man in private life, Bilalian was a great admirer of legendary screenwriter Michel Audiard, often quoting his iconic lines. With his sharp intellect, calm authority, and unwavering dedication to journalism, he leaves behind a lasting imprint on French public television.