After months of turmoil, the Professional Football League (LFP) has launched its own broadcast solution for Ligue 1: a dedicated channel named “Ligue 1 +”. The standard subscription will cost €14.99 per month, and the channel will be accessible everywhere.
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Subscription at €14.99 per Month
The decision has been made. In a press conference on Thursday, the LFP unveiled the details of its new channel. To watch Ligue 1, fans will need to subscribe to “Ligue 1 +”.
The main subscription is priced at €14.99 per month, with a 12-month commitment required. There will also be a no-commitment version available at a higher price of €19.99 per month. There’s good news for the youth: a no-commitment option for under 26-year-olds will be offered at just €9.99 per month. To attract initial subscribers, the LFP has announced that the first major Sunday night match, Nantes vs PSG on August 17, will be broadcasted for free.
“Hyperdistribution”: The Channel Will Be Everywhere
Accessibility was a major concern. The LFP has clearly learned from past mistakes and announced a “hyperdistribution” strategy. Essentially, subscriptions can be made directly through its website or app.
Importantly, agreements have already been made for “Ligue 1 +” to be distributed by all major operators: Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and Free. It will also be available via DAZN. The LFP promises that more agreements are to come.
A Team of Familiar Commentators
To represent its channel, the LFP has hired well-known faces from the football world. Notably, journalists Marina Lorenzo, Smaïl Bouabdellah, and Xavier Domergue will be part of the team.
Benoît Cheyrou, a former player for OM and PSG, is among the first consultants announced. The channel promises 20 hours of live coverage every weekend, featuring extensive pre-match coverage and magazines.
What’s the Verdict?
This is a huge gamble, but did the LFP really have any other choice? After consecutive failures with Mediapro and DAZN, no broadcaster was willing to meet the expected financial terms. By creating its own channel, the League takes back control of its product and revenue streams. Aiming for one million subscribers in the first year is incredibly ambitious but crucial for the economic survival of the project.
By establishing its own broadcasting platform, the LFP shifts from a model of selling rights to third parties to one of direct sales and controlled ecosystem. The strategy is sound over the long term, but the risk is substantial. This could either save French football or bury it if the subscriber base doesn’t follow. And you, would you be willing to subscribe for €15 a month to follow Ligue 1?
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