This article considers the role of art critique in a media sphere subjected to the economic rationale of the culture industry. How can the survival of this archaic form of consecration be interpreted? After presenting Bourdieu's theory which contrasts two ideal types - consecration by an independent outsider (the critic) and commercial consecration (advertising) - the author questions the relevance of critique. In so far as it is spreading to all cultural goods, both industrial and other, it cannot be considered as an indicator of differentiation of types of goods. Moreover, in view of the persistence of negative critique, Bourdieu's and the Frankfurt School's theory of the irremediable decline and disappearance of critique is not confirmed. The author therefore concludes that the association of critique with promotion is necessary for cultural consecration that neither wants to nor can be strictly commercial.