TF1 bought a batch of 10 matches in total, usually broadcast on France Télévisions. Paul ELLIS / AFP
The channel will broadcast the four preparation matches of the Blues before the World Cup as well as the Autumn Tours in 2024 and 2025.
TF1 is getting stronger on the rugby field. According to our information, the Bouygues subsidiary has just acquired the four French XV preparation matches for the Rugby World Cup. The opportunity for the channel to build a timely launch pad, just before the competition, which is to take place from September 8 to October 28. TF1 will warm up this summer at the same time as the XV of France during two matches against Scotland on the weekends of August 5 and 12, a third against Fiji on August 19 and finally during a last meeting friendly against Australia on August 26.
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The group led by Rodolphe Belmer also got their hands on Les Bleus’ test matches during the Autumn Tours of 2024 and 2025, which sees the national teams of the southern hemisphere (South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia) come to Europe to face those of the northern hemisphere (France, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Italy). That is 6 matches in total, in addition to the four scheduled for this summer.
To the chagrin of France Télévisions
The organizers of the 6 Nations Tournament, which market these matches, announced several weeks ago that the rights, on sale for several months, were still on the market. Traditionally, France Télévisions collects and broadcasts them. But it was ultimately TF1 who got their hands on it. To the chagrin of the public audiovisual group, according to several market players. While it is clear that TF1 has every interest in keeping the friendly matches scheduled before the Rugby World Cup, the Bouygues group subsidiary still has the option of sub-licensing those which will take place in 2024 and then in 2025.
At the beginning of January, TF1 also took the decision to share the broadcast of the Rugby World Cup. The group has entered into a sub-licence agreement with France Télévisions and M6. This allowed him to keep the twenty most beautiful posters of the competition, including the three group matches of the XV of France, the two best quarter-finals, the two semi-finals, the match for third place as well as the final. For its part, France Télévisions recovered 10 matches and M6, 18 matches. Resell part of the Rugby World Cup to its competitors, in order to rationalize costs, to buy others later? The amounts invested in a World Cup or in friendly matches differ significantly. “Insofar as these rights had been on sale for several months, it was better that they land at TF1 rather than on a foreign streaming platform.», Estimates a player in the sector.
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