According to a report from L’Équipe, subscriber numbers for Ligue 1 Plus, the league-owned broadcaster for France’s top division, have declined. However, a recovery is anticipated.
L’Équipe reports that subscriptions to Ligue 1 Plus, which was launched last summer following the unexpected ending of the DAZN contract, have fallen to approximately one million. This drop may raise concerns for Ligue 1 clubs; nonetheless, the figure is expected to bounce back by about 200,000 to 300,000 as the ninth match of the gameweek, currently shown on BeIN Sports, is set to shift to Ligue 1 Plus next season.
With the subscription price rising to €19.90 per month, LFP Media has assured clubs that they will receive similar broadcasting rights revenue as last year, despite BeIN Sports’ departure and the last payment from DAZN being received this season.
PSG owner expresses frustration over international Ligue 1 broadcasting
These statistics were shared during the LFP’s administrative council meeting on Wednesday, where Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of progress in generating revenue from broadcast rights internationally.
The PSG president urged LFP Media to enhance efforts in capitalizing on broadcasting Ligue 1 in various foreign markets, although no specific countries were mentioned. In the UK, for instance, French football is no longer available on traditional television but instead is accessible through an online platform known as Ligue 1 Pass.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle