Ligue 1 Broadcasting Rights: beIN Sports and LFP Reach Agreement
After months of negotiation and delayed payments, beIN Sports and the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) have finally inked a deal for the broadcasting rights to Ligue 1’s marquee match. The agreement, secured according to reports from l’Equipe, will see beIN Sports shelling out €98.5 million annually until 2029. This substantial sum is broken down into €78.5 million for broadcasting rights and an additional €20 million in sponsorship revenue.
The protracted standoff stemmed from beIN Sports’ dissatisfaction with the initial TV rights agreement struck with DAZN. DAZN, which broadcasts the remaining eight matches per matchday for a hefty €375 million per season, secured what beIN Sports perceived as superior match selections.
beIN Sports, which was granted first or second choice of matches each week, argued that the LFP’s programming consistently relegated them to broadcasting less appealing fixtures. This perceived imbalance fueled the broadcaster’s reluctance to sign the contract and resulted in late payments throughout the season.
The newly signed agreement offers beIN Sports some concessions. Notably, they have secured the right to co-broadcast their matches on other pay channels.This provision allows for potential collaboration with DAZN for the remainder of the current season. However, starting from the 2025-2026 season, any co-broadcasting arrangements with entities other than DAZN will require LFP approval.
”A Fair Deal?” Former French International Discusses Ligue 1 Broadcasting Rights
Welcome back to Sports Talk Live, everyone! today, we’re tackling a topic that’s been causing a stir in the world of French football – the broadcasting rights saga surrounding Ligue 1. Joining me today is none other than former French international and football pundit, Marcel Desailly. Marcel, welcome to the show!
Marcel: Thanks for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the beautiful game.
Host: Let’s dive right in. As you no, beIN Sports and the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) finally reached an agreement for the broadcasting rights to Ligue 1’s marquee match, ending months of negotiations and late payments.What are your thoughts on this deal, Marcel?
Marcel: well, it’s certainly a relief that an agreement has been reached. It was becoming quite a messy situation, impacting everyone from the clubs to the fans. But honestly, I think beIN Sports got a decent deal. €98.5 million per year, with €20 million in sponsorship revenue on top, that’s not peanuts.
Host: Some argue that beIN sports, by securing the right to co-broadcast matches on other pay channels, essentially got a concession that gives them some leverage with DAZN, who hold the rights to the remaining eight matches. How do you see this playing out?
Marcel: I can see both sides. On one hand, having the option to co-broadcast could allow for some interesting collaborations, joint promotions, and potentially even broader viewership. But on the other hand, it could create competition between broadcasters, potentially leading to inflated costs for viewers and further fragmenting the audience.
Host: You mentioned fragmented audience. Do you see this deal as ultimately benefiting Ligue 1’s overall visibility and growth,or could it be detrimental in the long run?
Marcel: That’s a tricky one. Visibility is crucial for any league, but it needs to be accessible and affordable for viewers. if multiple channels are splitting up the matches, and viewers need to subscribe to several services just to watch Ligue 1, it could become a bit cumbersome.We need to ensure that wider access doesn’t come at the cost of simpler, more affordable viewing options.
Host: This debate often circles back to the initial negotiations where beIN Sports felt disadvantaged by DAZN’s initial agreement with the LFP. Do you think this situation exposes a larger problem with how broadcasting rights are negotiated?
marcel: Absolutely. These deals shouldn’t just be about money. There needs to be more transparency and fairness in the process. The LFP needs to prioritize the overall health of the league, ensuring that broadcasting deals benefit both the clubs and the fans.
Host: An critically important point to consider. This situation definitely raises plenty of questions about the future of ligue 1 broadcasting. Marcel, thank you for sharing your insights and expertise. This is a conversation that will undoubtedly continue as the landscape evolves.
Marcel: My pleasure. It’s always crucial to have these discussions and strive for solutions that put the love of the game first.
What are your thoughts on the new Ligue 1 broadcasting agreement? Do you think this deal serves the best interests of french football? Share your opinions in the comments below and let’s keep the conversation going!
