TF1 has sold on the rights to 28 of the International Rugby Board tournament’s 48 matches, according to the agreement announced on Monday, but the channel will retain exclusivity for 20 games, including the semi-finals and the final.
Under the terms of the agreement, France Televisions and Canal+ will also carry magazine programmes and internet simulcasts of the matches as well as delayed coverage. TF1 will air the action via television, the internet and mobile TV.
According to Le Figaro, France Televisions paid about Eur10 million to acquire its share of the rights, and the channel’s head of sports, Daniel Bilalian, admitted that “sporting competitions are never profitable (for broadcasters) straight away”. He added: “However, they generate a return in the long-term.”
Canal+ is reported to have paid about Eur5 million, and Cyrille Linette, the channel’s head of sports, said that “exhaustive coverage would be provided across various platforms”. The 2011 Rugby World Cup will take place in New Zealand from September 9 to October 23.
