Pay-TV Broadcaster Canal+ Beats Out BeIN Sport For EPL Rights In France

The Premier League has announced pay-TV broadcaster Canal+ has been awarded exclusive audio-visual broadcast rights for all 380 Premier League matches a season for seasons '13-14 through '15-16 in France. EPL CEO Richard Scudamore said, "They are a long-term partner of the Premier League and have a track record of delivering fantastic coverage of the competition." Canal+ Group Dir General Rodolphe Belmer added, "We are extremely proud and satisfied, in a very competitive environment, to have renewed our long-term partnership with the Premier League. It is the world's most admired football competition and much appreciated by our subscribers" (EPL). L'EQUIPE's Etienne Moatti noted Canal+ beat out rival beIN Sport, "which wanted to acquire the prestigious contract." However, Canal+ "had to significantly increase the sum it currently pays," which was €24M ($32.6M) a season (L'EQUIPE, 1/31).