WRC rights on the move in France

French pay-television broadcaster Canal Plus has agreed a multi-year deal for exclusive rights to motorsport series the World Rally Championship.

The contract takes effect from the 2019 season and sees the rights switch from sports broadcaster L’Équipe.

WRC rallies will be broadcast live by Canal Plus Sport, while Canal Plus will also produce highlights programmes.

The Rallye Monte Carlo and Rallye de France will be shown free-to-air via the C8 channel, which will offer highlights and other programming.

Frenchman Sébastien Ogier has won the WRC drivers’ championship for the past five seasons and is currently second heading into the penultimate round of the 2018 campaign.

The WRC becomes the latest high-profile addition to Canal Plus’ motorsport portfolio, joining Formula One, MotoGP and Formula E.