F1 switches to French pay-television as Canal Plus pounces

French pay-television broadcaster Canal Plus has acquired domestic rights for the Formula One motor-racing championship, according to French newspaper l’Equipe.

The deal will run for three years, from 2013 to 2015.

The newspaper said that Canal Plus would pay €29 million ($38.9 million) per year, less than the €31 million per year paid by commercial broadcaster TF1 in the previous cycle.

TF1, which has broadcast Formula One in France since 1992, commercial broadcaster M6 and pay-television broadcasters beIN Sport and Canal Plus tabled bids after the tender for the rights was launched on September 7, the report added.

Last month, it was reported that Canal Plus’s initial bid of €27 million per season – the most lucrative offer submitted following the tender – was no longer valid.