Broadcaster TF1 Acquires 2015 World Cup Media Rights For France

French broadcaster TF1 "has agreed to a deal" with Rugby World Cup Ltd. and its marketing agency IMG, for the rights to the 2015 World Cup in France, according to Etienne Moatti of L'EQUIPE. Initially, the sides were looking to make a deal for both the England 2015 and Japan 2019 World Cups, but "no financial accord" was reached. This led to the sides agreeing on the '15 edition, "with financial conditions close" to the €40M ($52.4M) TF1 paid for the rights to the 2011 World Cup. The agreement is "a good operation" for the French broadcaster, as rugby "generates large audiences" in France. Last year's World Cup final between France and New Zealand was the most-watched show of the year with 15.4 million viewers and an 82.3% share. The end of the match had a peak audience of 18 million. Four years before, in '07, 18.3 million tuned in for the semifinal between France and England (L'EQUIPE, 10/16).