France/TV rights: "We're interested in Ligue 1, but not at any price" (F. Houzot, beIN SPORTS)

"Of course we're interested in Ligue 1, but not at any price. Our president (Yousef Al-Obaidly) says so every day. His strategy is to buy rights at the right price. That price is set by beIN SPORTS. We're not going to get into trouble. This strategy has proved us right, as we are still present after 12 years. We have a large number of loyal subscribers who are satisfied with what we have to offer," said Florent Houzot, director of broadcasting, programmes and editorial at the pay-TV group beIN SPORTS France, to the public radio station franceinfo (Radio France group) on 17/06/2024.

"You always have to make sensible investments and adopt a long-term strategy. That's what's most important. We were able to deliver a channel covering Euro 2024 in less than five days. There is real expetise and skills in-house," added Houzot.

The call for tenders for the domestic audiovisual rights to Ligue 1 over the 2024-2029 cycle, launched on 12/09/2023, was declared unsuccessful by the LFP on 17/10/2023. Since then, the LFP has entered into direct discussions with broadcasters.

LFP/Ligue 1 TV rights…