The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) has finally found a TV broadcaster following months of unsuccessful talks. The top flight of French football started on the weekend of August 16, 2024.
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🚨🇫🇷 Ligue 1 do not have a TV broadcaster ahead of the new 2024/25 campaign. 📺❌
Less than 3 months left til the season begins to find a deal/solution, reports @le_Parisien. 😳 pic.twitter.com/mYB2sG8CrP
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) May 30, 2024
beIN Sports deal falls through
It has been a tumultuous few years for Ligue 1 in terms of selling their broadcasting rights. The sale of the rights to Mediapro in 2018 instead of Canal+, which had shown Ligue 1 matches since 1984, started a mountain of issues. This was made worse when Mediapro hit financial problems in 2020, forcing their contract to be terminated by the LFP.
There have been various legal disputes between Canal+ and beIN Sports since concerning a sublicensing agreement, resulting in Canal+ pulling out of discussions for the next broadcasting contract.
In May 2024, the LFP had still not sold the broadcasting rights for the next five-year cycle. Originally, Vincent Labrune, president of the LFP, was optimistic about selling the broadcasting rights in an auction for a fee of around £1 billion per season. No bids were made during this auction, and as a result, they didn't find a broadcasting partner, following failed talks with various TV companies.
It was thought that a partnership would be formed with BeIN Sport, but this didn’t come to fruition. The Qatari network was reluctant to agree to a deal with Ligue 1 due to fears that their investment would surpass £3 billion during the course of the five-year contract with the LFP.
New strategy to try and overcome TV broadcaster issue
Due to the difficulties of selling the broadcasting rights, the LFP considered making a new TV channel entirely dedicated to Ligue 1, along with internet providers Bouygues, SFR, and Orange. It is worth noting, though, that the price for the rights has significantly dropped to €500m, half the original fee touted by Labrune earlier in the 2023/24 season. 
PSG have won Ligue 1 three years in a row. (Photo by Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images) – Photo by Icon sport
Ligue 1 finally seal broadcasting partner for 2024/25 season
In August 2024, it was announced that the LFP had finally sold the broadcasting rights to DAZN and BeIN Sports as part of a five-year deal. Dazn will pay €400 million to broadcast eight matches every week, while BeIN Sports will pay €100 million to show matches at 5pm on Saturdays. The overall package is worth €660 million, which is a 11% drop compared to the last three years, according to Le Monde.
Following the announcement of the deal, Vincent Labrune said: “The negotiations were intense because we wanted to reach agreements that would meet the interests of all clubs and that would allow French football to continue its development and increase its attractiveness.
“We will now work hand in hand to offer our fans the best possible show and provide content that meets their expectations.”
The consequences of the reduced revenue received from TV rights will be dire for Ligue 1 clubs in the next few years, according to a sports economist. Speaking to Le Monde, Luc Arrondel said: “There will be a drop in the overall budget for Ligue 1, which will be reflected in the budgets of the individual teams. And since, on average, between two-thirds and 70% of budgets are allocated for salaries – meaning players – the performance consequences will be immediate. This means fewer transfers, fewer talents, and therefore a lower level on the pitch.”