The threat is becoming clearer for Canal+. Broadcaster of 100% of European cups until 2027, the private audiovisual group sees the digital giants overshadowing it in the TV rights market. UEFA, which launched its call for tenders for the period 2027-2031, has effectively decided to market for the very first time a batch containing a Tuesday evening Champions League match, which will be reserved for players like Netflix, Amazon or Apple.
“The audiovisual landscape is evolving,
explains the marketing director of the European body, Guy-Laurent Epstein, in an interview given to The Team.
Today there are global streaming platforms with a significant presence in the landscape. There is an evolution in the market, an evolution in the way people consume sports and entertainment content. And we couldn't afford not to watch it. »
Canal+ will no longer have 100% of European cuts
Consequently, if Canal+ manages to retain the rights to the C1 in two years, for which it currently pays some 480 million euros per season, it will necessarily be deprived of a meeting. At least if this lot finds a buyer. “We will have offers from them, I am convinced of itassures the manager. Will they convince us of the market-by-market offers that can also be formulated for this lot? I won't know until a month from now. »
Broadcasters interested in European club competitions will submit their offers on November 18. “At that time, we will have everything in front of us and we will arbitrate between the amount of the global offer and the addition of local markets. The price will be important. We need this lot to contribute significantly to overall revenue, otherwise we won't take the risk.” continues Guy-Laurent Epstein, who gives some details on this separate batch.
“On the match broadcast worldwide, if it is sold, we will not be able to choose PSG or Real Madrid ten times during the league phase, but once eachhe explains. This also gives a lot of value to the other lots. Then, from the knockout phase, it will obviously be freer in this first choice on Tuesday evening. » A round of 16 between PSG and a European leader could therefore, for example, not be broadcast on Canal+.
“Canal+ is powerful and knows what it has to do”
This UEFA strategy aims to preserve its revenues linked to TV rights, which tend to decrease in most major championships. By turning to digital platforms, local broadcasters, such as Canal+ in France, could feel forced to revise their offer upwards to be certain of recovering the rest of the catalog of matches. And if they finally decided to lower their price, Netflix, Amazon or Apple would be there to compensate.
It therefore remains to be seen what approach Canal+ will adopt. Isn't it likely to wrinkle? “He’s the biggest contributor individually. But we don't wrinkle itreplies the UEFA marketing director. Canal+ today competes every day with Netflix, Prime Video and others. We just tell him that we can't afford not to talk to the new actors. Does this worry him? Maybe… But Canal+ is powerful and knows what it has to do. »
