Sport+ will broadcast live coverage of a number of matches from this season's Heineken Cup sharing the French live TV rights to the tournament with terrestrial broadcaster France Television.
The new deal marks the first time Sport+ has broadcast Heineken Cup coverage and takes the exclusivity of the rights away from France Television.
The situation in France means that pay-TV networks in both the tournament's major markets will hold coverage of the competition after European Rugby Cup Limited agreed an exclusive rights deal with UK network Sky Sports a few months ago. Terrestrial broadcaster the BBC had previously held the rights to the Heineken Cup in the UK.
Although the ERC has clearly switched its strategy to include pay-TV broadcasters compared with the exclusivity granted to terrestrial channels last year, the TV rights to the tournament in Ireland remain with terrestrial broadcaster RTE.
"We are delighted to welcome Sport + into our broadcasting stable for the first time. Their introduction will strengthen our coverage and provide both the clubs and their fans with a considerable boost ahead of the kick-off of this season’s tournament," said ERC chairman Jean-Pierre Lux.
"Their commitment to the tournament will be demonstrated on the first weekend when they provide their viewers with live coverage from no fewer than three matches from three different countries.
"With the extra impetus of Sport+, live coverage of the Heineken Cup is set to expand across Europe this season. That can only be good news for everyone who wants to follow the dozens of world stars who will be on display in the Heineken Cup."
Sport+'s coverage kicks off with the re-match of last season’s quarter-final when Leinster Lions host Biarritz Olympique at Lansdowne Road in Pool 3 on December 6.
That game kicks-off at 3.00pm local time and after that the Sport+ subscribers will be able to watch another French-Irish battle when Bourgoin entertain Munster in Pool 5 at Stade Pierre Rajon.
Sport+, the sports channel part of Canal+ Group, broadcasts exclusively in France on the leading French satellite platform Canalsatellite and on major cable networks.
French pay-TV network Sport+ has won a broadcast rights deal with European Rugby Cup Limited for live coverage of this season's Heineken Cup.
