TF1 and Canal+ to share World Cup Rugby

French commercial broadcaster TF1 has struck an agreement to share this year’s World Cup Rugby rights with pay TV operator Canal+.

Under the deal, TF1 will hold rights to the competition exclusively, but will sub-contract to Canal+ the rights to air, on a live and exclusive bases, 27 matches from the competition along with a dedicated magazine programme.

TF1 itself will broadcast the opening and closing ceremonies and 21 matches, including all the matches featuring the French team, the best games from the group stages, two quarter-finals, the two semi-finals, the match between semi-final losers for third place and the final. The broadcaster will also hold multiscreen rights to the competition as a whole.

TF1 and Canal+ did not reveal financial arrangements related to the deal.

The Rugby World Cup takes place in the UK from September 18 to October 31 this year.

The deal leaves Canal+ rival BeIN Sports out in the cold, but the pair remain locked in a battle over rights to French domestic rugby. France’s competition regulator last year froze Canal+’s grip on rights to the Top 14. The new deadline for submissions for the next set of rights passed yesterday.