Canal+ secures Top 14 rights for €355 million

Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 15-01-2014

The French rugby League LNR has finally concluded a new partnership with Canal+, granting the pay-TV group with the exclusive Top 14 TV rights for 2014-2019.

Canal+ will pay €355 million (excluding tax), which is between €70-€72 million per year. Compared to what Canal+ paid over the last five years, LNR has doubled its revenues, though it initially expected to grab €100 million a year.

Canal+ will broadcast all the Top 14 matches on all platforms and territories where it is active. The new partnership also includes a contract for subscribers to Top 14 clubs, who will be granted a free access to the Canal+ Rugby+ offer.

Canal+ Group will also continue to distribute the Top 14 rights internationally across its territories, with revenues being shared between both parties.

LNR has made a complete U-turn in dealing with Canal+; just two days ago it halted the Top 14 tender process owing to legal action launched by the French pay-tv group.

The Qatar-owned beIN Sport channel appears to have lost out to this quick recovered friendship.