"The number of subscribers to the new French football channel will help answer the question 'Do we still love Ligue 1?'"

After a billion euros, a million subscribers: in two years, French football's objectives regarding Ligue 1 (L1) audiovisual rights have radically changed, and the aim is to survive rather than thrive. The Professional Football League (LFP) is playing for big money with the launch, on Monday, August 11, of the subscription campaign for "its" channel, Ligue 1 +.

In the absence of candidates to take over from DAZN, which threw in the towel at the end of last season, the LFP was forced to embark on this project led by Nicolas de Tavernost and to broadcast most of the championship itself (eight matches out of nine each day).

To restart the broadcasting rights counter and keep clubs afloat, whose 2025-2026 budgets have been severely cut, it is necessary to reach one million subscribers by the end of the season and double that number by 2028-2029. This requires reestablishing a broken link between the French championship and its fans, who have long been mistreated.

The LFP's strategic errors since 2020 and the end of its thirty-six-year partnership with Canal+ have not only exposed clubs to a disastrous economic situation. They have also, due to changes in broadcaster and excessive subscription fees, led to the competition's invisibility and the resignation of its potential customers.

The surge in piracy last season was primarily a consequence of these poor choices, and clear proof that viewers wanted to watch Ligue 1, but not at any price. The first issue to address was therefore cost, and the offers revealed on Friday, August 8, suggest that the message has been heard.

Basic rate at 14.99 euros per month with a one-year commitment (19.99 euros without commitment), promotional offer at 9.99 euros for the first three months… Ligue 1 + is launching with more attractive prices than DAZN's 29.99 and 39.99 euros, in the summer of 2024. In addition, the 9.99 euro formula for those under 26 seems relevant.

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