Ligue 1 Football

[zulu17]

I don’t currently see any Ligue 1 French football in EETV or Discovery+ upcoming schedules.

The league starts on  16th August.

Is it no longer being broadcast on TNT Sports or are rights negotiations still ongoing ?

[tweetSP0RT]

Considering the complete mess the tender process for the domestic rights in France has been it may well still be up the air. It was only completed during the middle of last month with DAZN and beIN getting those rights (all but one game per round live on DAZN) but not seen anything about the UK. 

I think all we know for sure is TNT have extended Serie A throught to the end of 2026/27 but lost National League games to DAZN.

[zulu17]

• International rights and domestic rights are normally handled separately,

it was reported that the Infront agency were appointed in May so plenty of time to come to a deal 

Infront to sell Ligue 1’s international broadcast rights up to 2029

Agency's contract with LFP Media covers markets across Europe, Asia and Oceania.

[tweetSP0RT]

I know rights are handled seperately in most cases, however I'd suggest the fact Ligue 1 weren't even sure there would be a TV deal and the LFP were at one stage investigating having to go direct to consumer themselves possibly made it a tougher sell. 

Plus the lower value of the deal (compared to the failed Mediopro one) and the impact of blackout with BeIN's game (which I think is the 1st or 2nd pick) taking place at 4pm UK time also reduces the attractiveness of it.

That's before we consider TNT themselves, they (having secured the Autumn Nations Series) are apparently about to lose some or all of their European rugby rights to Premier Sports. I wonder if they may similarly feel that Serie A is sufficient.

[zulu17]

This morning  (12 August) I am still seeing French Ligue 1 prpmoted as  part  of

TNT Sports and Eurosport with discovery+ Premium

I see no other UK broadcaster mentioning taking the rights  but as I say cannot see the opening week games in TNT Sports schedule or discovery+ .

[Brucemeister5]

https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ligue-1-dropped-by-tnt-sports-in-uk-as-concerns-rise-among-fans/

Ligue 1 is not being renewed by TNT Sports.

[tweetSP0RT]

Not a huge surprise and now the European rugby has been confirmed as going in full to Premier Sports it seems TNT are in a bit of a cost-cutting mode (maybe not surprising with disaster that the WBD merger has been).

[Brucemeister5]

They’re also losing WWE at the end of this year. Come January the live schedules are going to look pretty thin. The new FA Cup rights don’t begin until next season. 

[tweetSP0RT]

Just an update on this apparently an announcement is on the way

https://x.com/RBairner/status/1824503203234300281

I'm guessing DAZN or Premier selfishly I'm hoping the latter purely as I'm not keen on yet annother subscription. My gut says it'll be DAZN who just want stuff to fill out their service, plus Premier are probably happy enough with La Liga.

[tweetSP0RT]

Apparently TV5 Monde showed Monaco v Saint Etienne yesterday. There is a 55 minute highlights cut is available on their website (commentary is in French obviously).