Viewers who usually wind down their weekend with the feel‑good talk show Sunday in the Countryside will find an empty slot on the schedule this Sunday, April 5, 2026. The show hosted by Frédéric Lopez is being pulled for the day to make room for major live rugby coverage, a programming choice that once again reshapes the network’s Sunday lineup.
Sports broadcast takes over the Sunday afternoon slot
On April 5, the network is clearing its usual Sunday afternoon schedule to air a Champions Cup matchup. The game is a round-of-16 clash between Union Bordeaux-Bègles and the Leicester Tigers, with kickoff set for 4 p.m.
Because this high-profile rugby event is given priority, Sunday in the Countryside is simply removed from the grid for the day. This is not an isolated case: the show is regularly pushed aside whenever major sports coverage takes precedence on the network.
A strong performer despite frequent schedule disruptions
Launched in 2022, the magazine-style show anchored by Frédéric Lopez has quietly become a dependable Sunday destination. Each episode draws an average of 1.4 million viewers, based on Médiamétrie data.
The format is simple but distinctive: several public figures gather in a countryside house, far from the usual studio hustle. The show favors long-form conversations and intimate life stories, all filmed in a deliberately secluded setting that contrasts with more conventional TV talk shows.
- Usual time slot: Sunday afternoon
- Host: Frédéric Lopez
- First broadcast: 2022
- Average audience: around 1.4 million viewers
When will Sunday in the Countryside be back?
The April 5 break is not a one-off interruption. On the following Sunday, April 12, sports will again dominate programming, this time with a Champions Cup quarter-final match.
Sunday in the Countryside is scheduled to return on April 19, 2026. However, it will not be a brand-new episode. Instead, the network is planning a rerun of a show originally aired in November, featuring Garou, Sylvie Testud and Éric Dupond-Moretti.
For fans who don’t want to wait, previous episodes remain available to stream on the france.tv platform, making it possible to revisit the show’s relaxed atmosphere even during this temporary break from live broadcast.
Between the constraints of sports programming and the loyalty of its audience, the show continues to hold its place in the weekend landscape, even if its rhythm is regularly disrupted by major sporting events.
FAQ
Why is Sunday in the Countryside not on TV on April 5, 2026?
The network is airing a Champions Cup rugby game, which temporarily removes the show from the schedule.
On what date does Sunday in the Countryside return?
The show is expected back on April 19, 2026, with a rerun rather than a new episode.
Is Sunday in the Countryside available to watch online?
Yes. Older episodes can be streamed on france.tv.
How many viewers does Sunday in the Countryside usually attract?
The program averages about 1.4 million viewers per episode.
