Domestic television rights: Showcase of Ligue 1 matches on home screens
Ligue 1 Embraces New Audiovisual Platform for Greater Independence
In a significant shift for French football, the Professional Football League (LFP) has launched a new audiovisual platform, Ligue 1 , for the broadcasting of the French football championship. This move marks a departure from traditional pay-TV intermediaries and places control of the Ligue 1 media ecosystem firmly in the hands of the LFP and its clubs.
The new platform, which was introduced in a roadmap titled "Audiovisual sovereignty, independence, and unity: the course of Ligue 1," was published on August 12, 2020, by Pablo Longoria, the president of OM. Longoria referred to the shift as a "cultural change" and a "reclamation of our destiny."
Under the control of the LFP, Ligue 1+ is a dedicated streaming service produced and managed by LFP Media 1, a subsidiary of the LFP. LFP Media 1 holds exclusive live broadcasting rights and created Ligue 1+ as a direct-to-consumer channel that handles all aspects of content production, programming, and distribution.
The platform allows the LFP and French football clubs to directly manage and profit from the audiovisual exploitation of Ligue 1 matches, a significant change from relying on third-party broadcasters. This shift in control enables the LFP to strategically control programming, advertising, and fan engagement, thereby capturing more revenue and strengthening its media independence.
Ligue 1+ has already seen strong subscriber uptake, with over 600,000 subscribers in its first week. However, the move has provoked tensions with established broadcasters like Canal+, who have threatened legal action over distribution rights, reflecting the disruption caused by the LFP’s reclaiming control of Ligue 1 media rights.
Eight of the nine weekly matches will be broadcasted through the new platform, with BeIn Sports retaining one match per day on their platform. The roadmap does not specify any changes in the schedule or format of the French football championship, nor does it provide details on the technology or infrastructure of the Ligue 1 platform.
The roadmap encourages supporters to participate in this new paradigm and subscribe to Ligue 1+, positioning the platform as a means for fans to engage more directly with the French football championship. The LFP's embrace of this new audiovisual platform represents a bold step towards greater independence and revenue control over its broadcasting destiny.
[1] "Ligue 1+: LFP's New Streaming Service Takes Control of French Football's Media Rights." SportsPro Media, 12 Aug. 2020, www.sportspromedia.com/news/ligue-1-lfp-s-new-streaming-service-takes-control-of-french-football-s-media-rights
[2] "Ligue 1+: The French Football League's New Streaming Service." Broadband TV News, 13 Aug. 2020, www.broadbandtvnews.com/2020/08/13/ligue-1-the-french-football-leagues-new-streaming-service/
Sports-analysis reveals that the new Ligue 1 streaming service, Ligue 1+, has the potential to revolutionize the audiovisual landscape of football, offering greater control and profit for the LFP and French football clubs. This sports innovation is already a hit among fans with over 600,000 subscribers in its first week.
