American entertainment giants Disney and Skydance are considering bids for French Ligue 1 broadcast rights as the football league seeks to reverse years of declining television revenue and strengthen its financial position.
The two companies are weighing offers in the latest auction for domestic audiovisual rights covering the 2027 to 2032 seasons, according to people familiar with the discussions.
The French Professional Football League launched the tender last week, with interested broadcasters expected to submit their bids by December 3.
The auction represents another attempt by the league to attract major broadcasting partners after its annual television revenue fell from about €1 billion ($1.1 billion) to approximately €180 million following the launch of its own streaming platform.
Under the bidding process, interested companies can either acquire the full broadcast rights or secure exclusive distribution of Ligue 1+. The league has established a minimum reserve price but has not disclosed the figure.
Disney and Skydance expand sports ambitions
Disney has been strengthening its sports offering in France through its Disney+ streaming service.
The company currently shows all 380 live matches of Spain’s La Liga in France through a partnership with DAZN. It also holds the rights to the UEFA Women’s Champions League until the 2029-30 season.
Its other sports acquisitions include American college sports properties in France and Formula E worldwide.
Meanwhile, Skydance’s sports portfolio has expanded through its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing properties such as Eurosport, TNT Sports and HBO Max into its portfolio.
Although the company has cycling, tennis and Olympic coverage in France, its football presence remains limited compared with its UK operations, where it broadcasts the Premier League and European Champions League.
A Skydance spokesman said it was still early in the process but that the company routinely considered available opportunities.
Ligue 1 seeks stronger broadcasting deals
Disney and Skydance are not the only potential bidders. Canal+ and beIN Sports are also expected to consider offers, according to the people familiar with the discussions.
Ligue 1 retains considerable popularity in France, despite Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance over the competition in recent years. Its streaming service, Ligue 1+, reported 1.1 million subscribers at the end of its first season.
Olivier Bramly, head of the league’s media division, said potential broadcasters would have to offer more than the revenue currently generated by the streaming platform.
“We are starting from a fundamental strategic premise: Ligue 1+ is an absolutely unique asset for the league, a lifeline that is only just beginning to take shape,” he said.
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