2023-09-21 12:13:34
We could have easily imagined that the sequence would go viral. On a pass on the edge of the forward, New Zealand fly-half Richie Mo’unga threw his winger Mark Telea into the goal for the All Blacks’ second try against France on Friday September 8 during the opening match of the World Cup (27-13). The second period had barely started, in front of nearly 15 million viewers.
Frustrated by the low number of replays offered live, many flocked to social networks, including X (formerly Twitter), in the hope of finding images of the said controversial action. Alas, no dedicated video was shared in “native” (understand a video directly visible in a tweet and a Facebook post) by TF 1, holder of the rights for this meeting and broadcaster of almost all of the Blues’ matches.
“The extracts are hosted on our MYTF1 platform”
This absence was raised by many Internet users and questions the visibility of the competition. Of the three broadcasters (France Télévisions and M 6 in addition to the front page) of the World Cup, only the public group shares match extracts almost live.
“The extracts are hosted on our MYTF1 platform,” the private group simply replied. The site indeed offers a wide range of cut videos (tests, summaries, compilation of a player), but these are only unlocked after viewing an advertisement. A spot of around twenty seconds was therefore mandatory to access content related to the France-Uruguay match.
No trace of videos on YouTube or on
Conversely, the videos shared on social networks each time concern “sidelines” of a match, such as the anthems or the reaction of coach Fabien Galthié. For gaming actions, you have to make do with two still screenshots on which you can vaguely discern the conclusion of the action, accompanied by a link to the platform. These videos are also not available on the TF 1 YouTube channel, thus depriving the channel of spectators who are not necessarily “rugby fans” but whom the algorithm could attract.
Added to this commercial strategy of the broadcaster is the policy of World Rugby, organizer of the tournament. This is limited to the hymns on YouTube, without publishing the slightest summary. Even if the authority indicates that summaries are sent directly to owners of the tournament application, these are aimed at a public already informed to the point of having downloaded it.
On X, it’s not better. Even if it does not distribute them, the body systematically blocks images retrieved and distributed by independent accounts, in the name of intellectual property. “We receive emails accusing us of reusing the video,” complains Gauthier Baudin, content creator specializing in rugby who has criticized this situation several times on fifth warning leaves no room for these creators.
Videos carefully selected by World Rugby
“There is the right to quote,” continues the latter. It’s not stealing, we’re just talking about taking 30 seconds of a match. » This eternal debate is not specific to the Rugby World Cup and concerns, for example, Ligue 1 football, quick to block the slightest reuse of images.
We no longer have the right to share images from the World Cup. You retweet, you take a strike.
It really makes me want to promote rugby on big events and make shows to talk about it???? pic.twitter.com/EpkBME8XGg
— Gauthier Baudin (@GauthierBaudin) September 11, 2023
But in this specific case, geolocation does not help matters: on X, the official “Rugby World Cup” account (in English) is not accessible in France. Only its French-speaking version is accessible, but for a much lower publication rate.
The rare actions shared during France-Uruguay were a semblance of a breakthrough from Maxime Lucu or a succession of passes after contact between Yoram Moefana and Sekou Macalou. No trace, however, of the five tries scored in this match. However, the body boasts of clearly increasing figures (170 million views over the first weekend, or + 73% compared to the Japanese World Cup), with these related contents.
“They want to muzzle by saying that everything goes through them, but it’s as if they are rewriting history,” continues Gauthier Baudin. On this Blues match, the images broadcast are indeed positive and give the impression of an open match with the Blues on their feet. However, it was precisely the opposite, as evidenced by the 24 minutes of effective playing time and the rugby gruel offered. “At this point, it’s not even missing the appointment, it’s not even going!” », quips Baudin ironically.
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