Pierre Lescure
Pierre Lescure | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age Paris, France |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, television executive |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Known for | Creating Les Enfants du rock; leading Canal+; president of Cannes Film Festival |
Pierre Lescure (; born ) is a prominent French journalist and television executive. He is recognized for creating the influential French music television program Les Enfants du rock (1981–1988) and for his leadership of the Canal+ channel from its launch in 1984 until 2002. From 2014 to 2022, Lescure held the position of president at the Cannes Film Festival.
Early life and education
Lescure was born circa 1945 in Paris. He is the son of François Lescure, a journalist affiliated with L'Humanité, and the grandson of Pierre de Lescure, who established the publishing company Les Éditions de Minuit. Raised in Choisy-le-Roi, he pursued journalism studies at the Centre de formation des journalistes de Paris.
Career
Lescure’s professional journey began at RTL radio, where he worked as a reporter and news presenter between 1965 and 1968, before moving to RMC from 1968 to 1972. He then transitioned into television, serving as an evening news anchor on Antenne 2 prior to launching the music program Les Enfants du rock in 1981.
In 1984, alongside André Rousselet, he co-established Canal+, France’s first subscription-based TV channel, and founded Canal+ Productions, which later became StudioCanal. As CEO, Lescure guided Canal+ as it grew into Groupe Canal+. His leadership ended in 2002 following disputes with Vivendi CEO Jean-Marie Messier after Vivendi's acquisition of Canal+. Despite this, he maintained strong respect among media professionals and political figures.
Politically active, Lescure endorsed François Hollande during the 2012 presidential election and subsequently headed a cultural and media mission under Hollande’s administration.
In 2014, he was named president of the Cannes Film Festival and took charge of its direction from 2015 onward, managing its strategic growth and fostering international collaborations.
Filmography
- 2008: Musée haut, musée bas, directed by Jean-Michel Ribes