TF1 is facing competition from fellow French commercial broadcaster M6 to retain its rights to a host of national team properties of Uefa, European football’s governing body, according to L’Équipe.
The French newspaper said TF1 and M6 are the only broadcasters to have entered bids in the tender process launched in late April by CAA Eleven, Uefa’s exclusive marketing agency for the sale of certain media and commercial rights relating to its national team competitions.
The tender includes European Qualifiers for the Uefa Euro 2020 and 2022 Fifa World Cup tournaments, the 2018-19 and 2020-21 Nations League competitions and other international matches.
TF1 currently holds exclusive media rights for France national team friendly matches and qualifiers for the 2018 Fifa World Cup tournament. The deal runs for four years, from 2014-15 to 2017-18.
TF1 currently pays €3.5m ($3.9m) per game under the deal, with CAA Eleven said to be hoping to raise this figure to more than €4m per match through the new contract. L’Équipe said a decision on the rights is expected soon.