Nicolas Hulot to disappear from TV

GREEN TV presenter Nicolas Hulot is to gradually disappear from TV screens, following the announcement that he is to run for president in 2012.

The broadcasting watchdog CSA has completed discussions with TF1, where Hulot is the main host of environmental shows, and agreed that his appearances will be phased out.

The future of TF1's environmental Ushuaïa TV channel, which relies on Hulot-fronted programmes, has been called into doubt.

Hulot totals around 17-hours of TV time a week, breaking French laws on political broadcasting, but also leaving a large hole in the broadcaster's scheduling.

The CSA and TF1 have agreed that all re-runs of Hulot programmes after 2006, which the two groups consider is the date that marks his entry into politics (when he first considered a presidential campaign), will be cancelled immediately.

Shows filmed before 2006, including voiceovers, will be phased out gradually.

Photo:Olivier Tétard