Télévision Tunisienne hits out over mooted B4 Capital deal

Tunisian public-service broadcaster Télévision Tunisienne has objected to the B4 Capital agency’s deal with the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) for overseas rights to Ligue 1 Pro, the top division of club football in the country, claiming it was not consulted on the contract.

In June, B4 signed an exclusive deal to distribute the international media rights of the FTF. The deal was set to run for three seasons, from 2015-16 to 2017-18.

Under the agreement, B4 was to distribute worldwide rights to the Tunisia national team’s home friendly matches. The deal was also said to have included the distribution of international rights for the Ligue 1 Pro.

However, the MosaiqueFM website said Télévision Tunisienne, the Ligue 1 Pro’s domestic rights-holder, outlined its objections on Saturday claiming the terms of its contract had been violated.

A statement said Télévision Tunisienne had been informed of the agreement, but had not participated in the negotiations and did not agree on the financial terms. It added that it remained open to negotiations over the sale of the rights.

The FTF had earlier said a preliminary agreement with B4 for Ligue 1 Pro rights had been agreed, but a formal contract is yet to be signed. The federation added that talks would be held with Télévision Tunisienne before any deal with B4 is concluded.