The “tension is rising” between the French Professional Football League (LFP) and its main broadcaster Canal+, according to Étienne Moatti of L’ÉQUIPE. Since the start of the season, the first of a four-year cycle for which Canal+ is paying €540M ($607M) annually, the pay-TV channel “has not stuck to the wording of the tender for the media rights of the championship.” In the agreement, it is stated that three Ligue 1 matches per week “must be broadcast on Canal+.” But since the start of the season, Friday and Saturday matches “have been shown on Canal+ Sport.” Only the Sunday night fixture “has been broadcast on the premium channel.” The league has “opened a complaint against Canal+ for not respecting the contract,” which, according to the LFP, has resulted in less exposure of its “product.” Saturday afternoon matches have drawn 300,000 fewer viewers, “compared to seasons past when it was shown on Canal+.” The LFP has asked Canal+ for financial compensation if, by the end of the season, Saturday afternoon match audiences “remain low compared to the averages of the past four years.” According to sources, the LFP has demanded a €9M ($10.1M) “penalty” if the audiences remain down. In response, Canal+ proposed to “expand its editorial offering to enhance its Ligue 1 coverage, but did not consider financial compensation.” The counter proposal was “not well received by the LFP,” which told the broadcaster that the terms of the contract “have not been respected and Canal+ is clearly at fault.” The dispute remains unresolved. In the past, the LFP and Canal+ have “turned to the courts to settle their differences” (L’ÉQUIPE, 9/29).
