Ligue 1 TV rights: the LFP validates principle of new call for tenders to reallocate Mediapro's lots

The LFP validated the principle of a new call for tenders to put the lots of Mediapro back onto the market, following the defection of the Spanish group (80% of the matches of Ligue 1 Uber Eats and Ligue 2 BKT for 2020-2024 acquired on 28/05/2018), during its board of directors meeting on 14/01/2021, according to Agence France Presse.

The League expects an accelerated tender of ten days only, compared six to eight weeks usually. Canal+, which currently broadcasts two Ligue 1 games per matchday, acquired via sub-license from beIN Sports France (Saturday at 21:00 CET Sunday at 17:00, see below), has requested a comprehensive tender procedure.

During the 2018 call for tenders for the 2020-2024 TV rights, the LFP launched tender operations on 25/04/2018. The delivery of the qualitative bids took place 33 days later (four weeks and five days), on 28/05/2018, then the lot by lot auctions for remaining items had been organized the next day, on 29/05/2018.

"We finally came to the conclusion, on the Canal+ side, that it was in the interest of all stakeholders to go through a call for tenders…