French Broadcaster Canal+ Loses Exclusive TV Rights To Top 14 Rugby

The Paris court of appeals confirmed on Thursday the suspension of the exclusive broadcasting rights of Top 14, the premier division of France’s rugby league, awarded to Canal+ for five years, according to LE MONDE. In July, the Competition Authority suspended the agreement between the TV station and the national rugby league made in January, which gave the pay-TV broadcaster the rights to broadcast Top 14 rugby for five seasons (’14-19) for €355M ($450.5M). Brought to its attention by beIN Sports, the market watchdog "accused the two parties of an 'anti-competitive agreement' and demanded a new call for bids," which will be completed before March 31, according to the court of appeals’ decision. The suspension "should take place at the end of the ’14-15 season" and the rights for the following seasons will be subject to a new competition. Canal+ has broadcast this competition for close to eight years, which "makes it one of Canal+’s flagship programs" (LE MONDE, 10/9).