RMC Sport app available on XBOX after Microsoft/Altice pact

Alain Weill

Microsoft and Altice France have announced the launch of the RMC Sport app on XBOX ONE. The new partnership will enable XBOX ONE users to access RMC Sport content such as UEFA Champions League and Europa League, the English Premier League as well as the sports including basketball, tennis and athletics.

The RMC Sport channels are available, without commitment, from €9 per month for subscribers to Altice-owned SFR or €19 per month for non-subscribers.

Altice France is a leading player in French telecoms and media convergence with 14 TV channels and annual turnover of €10.2 billion. Through SFR, which has extensive 4G and fibre optic networks, it currently serves 22 million customers.

Sport has been a key driver in company’s growth, though it received a setback in November 2018 when Canal+ wrested control of the English Premier League rights away from Altice for the period starting 2019/2020. Altice is hoping to sub-licence the rights for RMC Sport – and is currently in negotiations about this with Canal+ (with a possible rights swap deal on the cards). Altice president Alain Weill told local French media outlets this week that he is confident the two companies will come to an arrangement. Further out, Altice faces a similar issue with relation to domestic Ligue 1 rights, secured by Spanish rights agency Mediapro starting from 2020/2021.