French commercial broadcasters TF1 and M6, and public-service broadcaster France Télévisions, the incumbent rights-holder, submitted bids for the domestic rights for France national team Test rugby union matches from July 2012 to June 2016, according to l’Equipe.
Bids were due in yesterday, January 26, to the Fédération Française de Rugby, the French rugby federation.
France Télévisions currently pays about €8 million ($10.2 million) per year for the rights in a four-year deal, from 2008 to 2011.
The rights include France’s autumn international matches against teams from the southern hemisphere and preparation games ahead the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, as well as games involving France’s under-20 and women’s teams.