Industry

TF1 launches a new football-focused channel with the rights holder MediaPro.

Telefoot is the name of the new channel owned by  the French commercial broadcaster  that will offer live and exclusive coverage of France’s top flight Ligue 1.

Mediapro won a package of rights to Ligue 1 or four years and starting from next season. The channel will commence in August when the league is scheduled to resume.

Pricing for the subscription-based channel has yet to be made public.

In a statement the two parties said Telefoot would feature coverage of some 80% of matches, including the weeks 10 leading games, alongside expert analysis and magazine shows.

“This partnership with TF1, France’s leading audiovisual channel, is the natural alliance of two groups recognized in football,” said Jaume Roures, Chairman and Founder of the MEDIAPRO Group and Julien Bergeaud, CEO of Mediapro Sport France. “Thanks to our editorial know-how and technological expertise at the cutting edge of innovation, we will offer fans a new look at football.”

Gilles Pélisson, Chairman and CEO of Groupe TF1 and François Pellissier, Director of Sports, added: “The creation of a channel entirely dedicated to football is a further illustration of TF1 Group’s commitment alongside French football players to promote the values of one of the most popular sports, which is dear to the TF1 Group.”

Commentary will come from Grégoire Margotton and Bixente Lizarazu who called the French victory in the 2018 World Cup.

Eight matches from Ligue 2 will also feature.