French commercial broadcasters TF1 and M6 have confirmed the acquisition of rights for France national football team matches over four years, from 2018-19 to 2021-22.
The news was first reported by TV Sports Markets 15 months ago.
The channels will share live coverage of France’s qualifying matches for the Uefa Euro 2020 and Fifa 2022 World Cup tournaments, as well as the team’s contests in the new Uefa Nations League and friendly matches.
Both broadcasters will also be able to show live and exclusive coverage of 22 Nations League matches not featuring the France team.
The broadcasters will reportedly pay €70m ($87m) each for the rights and will alternate coverage of the France matches.
Free-to-air sports broadcaster L'Équipe already has a deal with Uefa, football’s European governing body, for rights to Euro 2020 and 2022 World Cup qualifiers, plus Nations League games, all of which do not feature the France team.
All of the deals were brokered by the CAA Eleven agency, which was acting on behalf of Uefa.