TF1 has signalled its interest in acquiring rights to the 2024 summer Olympic Games in Paris, while fellow French commercial broadcaster M6 is also interested, according to Les Echos.
With the French capital having this month been confirmed as host of the 2024 Games, as part of an agreement with the International Olympic Committee that will see Los Angeles stage the event in 2028, competition is expected to be fierce for the domestic rights.
Media and entertainment company Discovery Communications holds the exclusive multimedia rights for 50 countries and territories in Europe for the Olympic Games spanning 2018 through to 2024, under a deal signed with the IOC in June 2015. The contract applies to the 2022 and 2024 Games only in France, with TF1 and M6 needing to reach an agreement with Discovery if they are to broadcast Paris 2024.
TF1 chairman and chief executive, Gilles Pélisson, said the broadcaster has already made contact with Discovery. According to Les Echos, Pélisson said TF1 would be particularly interested in the opening and closing ceremonies, along with team sports “which have definite durations”. However, he added that TF1 would not “do it at any price”.
Public-service broadcaster France Télévisions is the IOC’s long-time rights partner in France, although TF1 did broadcast part of the 1996 Games in Atlanta and the opening and closing ceremonies from London 2012.
Les Echos added that M6 is also interested in Paris 2024 rights, especially team sport events.