Free-to-air Ligue 1 match at the heart of parliamentary debate
France’s Assemblée nationale is examining a bill this Monday aimed at reforming professional football. Among the measures under discussion is an amendment that would require one Ligue 1 match per matchday to be broadcast on free-to-air television. This idea, floated in recent months, comes as most games are currently available only via the Ligue1+ streaming platform, which costs at least 15 euros per month.
Goal: broadening access to the championship
Lawmakers behind the amendment argue that the proliferation of pay-TV and streaming subscriptions alienates part of the public from sporting events and fuels piracy. In their view, reserving a specific slot for a free weekly broadcast would boost the visibility of the French top flight. The proposal draws on the findings of a 2021 parliamentary fact-finding mission on sports broadcasting rights led by Cédric Roussel.
Sports economist Pierre Rondeau agrees that a free broadcast could attract a wider audience. He notes that the Ligue de football professionnel estimated that 22 million French people are interested in Ligue 1, compared with roughly one million subscribers to Ligue1+.
LFP opposes the change
The LFP, however, opposes the amendment. The league fears that free-to-air broadcasts could diminish the value of audiovisual rights, which account for more than half of club revenues. Talks between the league, broadcasters and parliamentarians have intensified ahead of the bill’s examination.
Broader reform of professional football
Already passed by the Sénat and then reviewed in committee at the Assemblée nationale, the bill may still be amended after the floor debate, before a joint parliamentary committee scheduled for July 21. The text also addresses anti-piracy measures, strengthening the role of federations and the Ministry of Sports in the governance of professional leagues, redistribution of broadcasting revenue, and caps on executive compensation.
