Julien Farhat
FOT: LEQUIPE VIA INSTAGRAM
Introduction:
The world of football is fueled by passion, competition, and, in recent times, an ever-growing financial element. In France, the arena of Ligue 1 is no different, where the ongoing competition for broadcasting TV rights is reaching new heights. Just a few days ago, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) initiated the tender process for their domestic media rights, spanning from 2024 to 2029. Amidst these developments, Vincent Labrune, the president of the French Professional Football League (LFP), made waves in the headlines with his audacious goal: securing one billion euros for the league's broadcasting rights. The question that lingers is how this ambitious objective can be realized?
Current Landscape VS 2024-2029:
To understand the journey ahead, it's essential to grasp the current state of Ligue 1 and compare it to the upcoming one.
Scheduling:
Regarding Ligue 1:
1) The two historical timeslots of Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at 8:45pm are kept.
2) Matches on Sunday at 1pm are replaced by matches on Saturday 7pm.
3) Multiplex will be broadcast on Sunday at 5pm to maximize stadium attendance and TV audience.
4) Every Ligue 1 days will take place on weekends (depending on European and international fixtures constraints)
Regarding Ligue 2:
1) Conservation of the well settled timeslot of Saturday at 3pm.
2) Matches on Monday 8:45pm are replaced by matches on Sunday at 1pm.
3) The Multiplex is maintained on Saturday at 7pm as this rendezvous has proven successful.
4) Every Ligue 2 days will take place on weekends (depending on European and international fixtures constraints)
Packages:
Two additional premium packages namely "The Best of Ligue 1" and "100% Ligue 1", which now include extended exploitation rights (Live, near-live, delayed, extracts and archives), additional rights ( mini-clips, replays, season reviews ) and sub-licensing rights (unconditional for an agreement with a free-to-air broadcaster, subject to conditions for an agreement with a paying broadcaster) - with a similar structure for Ligue 2.
In addition, there are three magazine packages available, consisting of two options for weekend magazines and one designed for daily magazines from Monday to Friday.
Pricing:
In the current cycle, which has been notably impacted by the Mediapro crisis, the league receives €624 million for domestic media rights, broken down as follows:
- €332 million, which accounts for approximately 53% of the total, comes from the CANAL+ Group.
- €250 million, constituting roughly 40% of the total, is contributed by AMAZON PRIME.
- €42 million, making up approximately 7% of the total, is provided by Free.
In addition to these domestic rights, the league also secures €80 million from BEIN MEDIA GROUP for international rights.
During the period spanning from 2024 to 2029, the pricing arrangement for domestic media rights, totaling €800 million, is structured as follows:
- Package #1 commences at €530 million, constituting approximately 66% of the total anticipated revenue for Ligue 1 domestic rights.
- Package #2, with an initial pricing of €270 million, makes up about 33% of the total.
- Three "magazine" packages are estimated to contribute an extra €25 million in revenue, accounting for 3% of the total.
In addition to these domestic rights, the league also projects to secure €175 million from international rights.
Conclusion:
Ligue 1's quest for broadcasting TV rights from 2024 to 2029 is marked by bold changes. With refined scheduling, enriched premium packages, and a pricing structure aimed at €800 million for domestic rights, the league is positioning itself for a remarkable transformation. Vincent Labrune's ambitious goal of one billion euros for broadcasting rights sets the stage for an exciting journey ahead. While the question of feasibility lingers, Ligue 1's determination to rise in the global football arena is undeniable, promising a future filled with innovation and growth.
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