Direct 8 fought off competition from pay-broadcaster Canal Plus, the incumbent broadcaster for Under-21 matches, France Télévisions-Eurosport and the Foot-National.com website.
L’Equipe reported that Direct 8 is paying €1.7 million a year in the new deal, an increase of over 50 per cent on the €1.1 million currently paid by Canal Plus. The deal covers 10 Under-21 matches a year and three women’s team matches a year.
Direct 8 also acquired the rights for nine matches a season in the Championnat National, the third-tier of French domestic football, in a three-year deal from 2009-10 to 2011-2012.