The Transformation of the Interview Genre in French Sports Media

Introduction. In French sports journalism, the interview is a key genre that provides direct access to the thoughts of athletes and coaches. Digital transformation, social media, and changing audience preferences have led to significant shifts in this genre. This study analyzes the evolution of the form and function of interviews in leading French publications, addressing a gap in the systematic exploration of the topic. Relevance and purpose. The relevance of the study stems from the rapid development of media and the need to comprehend changes in sports journalism that reflect current content consumption trends and technological innovation. The purpose is to identify the key trends in the transformation of the interview genre in French sports media, to evaluate the impact of digital technologies on its form and functions, and to assess their effect on audience perception. Methodology. A comprehensive approach is applied, including content analysis of interviews in L’Équipe, Le Figaro, and France Football (2015–2025), comparative analysis of traditional and multimedia formats, discourse analysis of sociocultural topics, and case study analysis. Results. The share of text-based interviews decreased from 70% (2020) to 45% (2025), while multimedia formats (videos, podcasts, and Q&A sessions on social media) rose from 15% to 40%. The informative function remains dominant (60%), but the entertainment (25%) and socially re-sponsible (15%) functions have gained importance. Interactivity – especially through social media – has increased audience engagement. Text interviews have become shorter (800–1200 words) and more informal. Conclusions. The study highlights the adaptation of the interview genre to digital and in-teractive formats, offering a new perspective on its role in French sports media. The findings are significant for both journalistic practice and media education. Future prospects of the research may explore the influence of artificial intelligence and global trends on local media formats.