between declining audiences and agencies in difficulty, the host’s empire is faltering

Real estate agent, Stéphane Plaza became known to the general public thanks to several programs broadcast on M6. The host is on trial this Thursday, January 9 for physical and/or psychological violence against ex-partners.

An empire in difficulty. Tried this Thursday, January 9 for regular violence against two former partners, the 54-year-old presenter Stéphane Plaza, at the head of a vast network of agencies, is experiencing significant turmoil.

First a real estate agent, Stéphane Plaza became one of the star television hosts with the show Search for apartment or house broadcast on M6 from 2006. Other programs have since followed, House for sale from 2007, then Apartment Hunters from 2015. The chain also has shares in its agency network.

If he no longer participates in the show The Big Headson RTL, the forty-year-old is currently still on M6, despite his legal difficulties. Most of the broadcasts, however, are rebroadcasts of old numbers.

According to our information, Stéphane Plaza has, in fact, only filmed two new broadcasts of Search for apartment or housenot yet broadcast, since last fall. Only one new release was released in November 2024, after having been filmed a few months earlier.

An “internal investigation” carried out by M6

Furthermore, audiences for shows featuring the star real estate agent have been declining for several months. Is it linked to the legal cases that Stéphane Plaza is experiencing? Or does it come more from spectator weariness linked to numerous rebroadcasts?

At the end of June 2024, during M6’s back-to-school conference, its general director of programs, Guillaume Charles, assured that the collaboration between the channel and the host continued. “An internal investigation was carried out, it showed nothing,” said the manager, according to comments reported by the press.

“There are legal proceedings underway, we are waiting to know what will happen,” added Guillaume Charles, invoking the “presumption of innocence”.

For now, the forty-year-old continues to be paid each month by M6, with whom he is still under an image contract, according to our information.

The popularity of the host also appears to be declining. He was thus absent from the latest JDD ranking of the French’s favorite personalities, after being 16th two years ago, then 27th in 2023.

Accused of violence or threats by 3 ex-partners

Stéphane Plaza must be judged for “habitual physical and/or psychological violence by a partner” between 2018 and 2022 against a former partner, as well as for “habitual psychological violence by a partner” against another, between 2021 and 2022. A third ex-partner also denounced threats, even if it does not appear in the prevention retained by the Paris prosecutor’s office.

A total incapacity for work (which defines the severity of the repercussions on health) of more than eight days was established for the first two women.

The real estate agent should have been tried in August 2024, but did not appear at the hearing, due to “psychological fragilities”, according to his lawyers.

Stéphane Plaza proclaims his innocence

The accusations against Stéphane Plaza began in September 2023, with the publication by Mediapart of the testimonies of three former partners, who denounced “humiliation, threats, verbal and, for two of them, physical violence”.

The real estate agent has always maintained his innocence. “I continue and will continue to defend the cause of women. I remain straight and upright and focus on my work to continue to help you and bring you happiness,” he said on his Instagram account in December 2023.

The 54-year-old host is expected before the 10th chamber of the Paris judicial court this Thursday. He faces up to ten years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros.