French pay-television channel Orange Sport is set to close after parent company Orange failed to find a buyer for it, according to French media reports.
A date for the closure of the channel has not been specified, although Le Parisien newspaper reports that it could shut on May 20 when it broadcasts its last French Ligue 1 football game of its current rights contract. Orange had been in talks with pay-television broadcaster Al Jazeera over a possible takeover of the channel, but negotiations ended without a deal several weeks ago.
Talks are reportedly continuing with Sporever, a new media sports information company, which is interested in buying Orange’s sports information channel Orange Sport Info.
Les Echos newspaper said Orange is now seeking to sell its broadcast rights for tennis’ ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and World Tour 500 series, the athletics Diamond League and several combat sport properties. Al-Jazeera and pay-television rival Canal Plus are both in talks for the rights, but no deals have yet been agreed.