The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) has officially launched an auction for the broadcasting rights to Ligue 1, France’s top football division. The new rights package will commence at the start of next season and extend through to 2032, a development confirmed by LFP President Vincent Labrune on Wednesday.
This tender comes at a crucial time for French football clubs, many of whom have experienced significant financial difficulties under the current broadcasting arrangement. Ligue 1 is presently broadcast by the LFP’s in-house channel, Ligue 1 Plus, which is now in its second season. While the editorial quality of Ligue 1 Plus has been noted, it has proven to be a financial failure for the clubs, leading to a substantial decline in income from TV rights since the withdrawal of MediaPro.
A New Approach to Broadcasting Rights
In a bid to secure a more lucrative deal for its clubs, the LFP is leveraging recent legislative changes. New laws now permit the broadcasting rights to be sold as a single, exclusive bundle, a departure from previous arrangements. This change is expected to make the rights more attractive to potential broadcasters, offering a clearer path to exclusivity.
The bidding process for these crucial rights is set to run from November 3rd until December 7th. The LFP hopes this new approach, combined with the extended duration of the contract, will stabilise and significantly boost the financial health of Ligue 1 clubs for years to come.