Under the deal, France Télévisions will pay €23 million for the 2009 Tour, with the fee increasing by 2 per cent a year for the subsequent four years. The public broadcaster will cover the Tour on its two main channels France 2 and France 3.
The new deal comes despite fears that France Télévisions could be handicapped in the sports rights market amid moves to scrap adverts from state TV.
“We are sending out a strong message to the market,” said Daniel Bilalian, Head of sport for France Télévisions.
