Frédéric Goyon, editorial manager of Free on the Ligue 1 file, affirms on Europe 1 that the telephone operator is "very happy" to have invested in the digital rights of the quasi-direct of Ligue 1. However, no question of to overshadow other broadcasters, "we are complementary," he says.
INTERVIEW
In the current slump in French football TV rights, there is at least one broadcaster who is smiling: Free.
While the Professional Football League (LFP) finds itself in a delicate financial situation after the unsuccessful tender for TV rights on Monday, it can count on the 42 million euros from the operator who acquired the rights digital Ligue 1 almost direct.
"We are very happy with our investment and to support Ligue 1 this season and until 2024", ensures at the microphone of Europe 1 Frédéric Goyon, editorial manager of Free on this file.
>> READ ALSO -
Ligue 1: Canal + and beIN Sports boycott the call for tenders for TV rights
"Ligue 1 is a good product"
If the health crisis has made the context difficult, both for the clubs and for the broadcasters, the person in charge is categorical: “Ligue 1 is a good product. It is followed directly or indirectly by 20 million French people, it is the competition of the world champion country, one of the most formative championships in Europe where all regions are represented. "
A "product" which deserves to have "maximum visibility", hence the operator's decision to offer its content for free on the dedicated application until the end of the season, regardless of the operator.
But despite 500,000 claimed users and a strong interest in Ligue 1, Free does not have the ambition to become one of the main broadcasters of the championship.
"We are complementary to traditional broadcasters who have real know-how and we do not claim to replace them."
Because in reality the neo-broadcaster "is above all convinced of the near-live consumer world" with the best actions, goals, match summaries, but also broadcasts, podcasts and interviews.
>> READ -
Ligue 1 TV rights: Is Canal + still in a strong position?
"The times have changed"
"We were all in front of multiplexes in the 1990s but times have changed," explains Frédéric Goyon.
"Social networks have become more democratic, media consumption is generally more instantaneous and more on demand, without forgetting that the dual screen has become a habit. French daily life is more mobile than 30 years ago and we must allow our users not to choose between their daily constraints and their passion for football. "
"We do not impose a vision", continues the manager, "we adapt to different audiences and we consider that the lot acquired allows exactly that".
As to who and how will be broadcast the matches at the end of the Ligue 1 season (and the next ones) Frédéric Goyon "hopes for a happy outcome for the next few days": "We trust French football to find solutions. the sooner the better for everyone, broadcasters and fans. "