International pay-television channel RTL9 has acquired rights for the Bellator mixed martial arts (MMA) series.
The deal means viewers in France will continue to watch MMA after the channel, which is carried on the Canal Sat and Numericable pay-television platforms, lost rights to the rival series the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The sport is banned from French television by the country’s media watchdog, Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel, but RTL9 is not subject to the French regulator’s regulations as it is based in Luxembourg. The channel is also available in its home country, Belgium and Switzerland.
The length of the deal was not disclosed, but RTL9 will show 16 events this year, starting on February 27.