TF1 to sub-license Rugby World Cup matches to rivals

France’s TF1 Group has entered into a sub-licensing deal with pubcaster France Télévisions and commercial broadcast rival M6 for the screening of 28 matches from Rugby World Cup 2023, hosted in France from September 8 to October 28 this year.

TF1 said the sublicensing deal will enable all French viewers to watch the entire tournament free of charge.

TF1 remains the tournament’s official broadcaster and will show all the big fixtures, starting on September 8 with the opening match between France and New Zealand.
The broadcaster will show 20 matches in total, including three pool matches involving France, two quarter-finals (including the one involving France should they qualify), both semi-finals, the Bronze Final, and the Final.

France Télévisions will screen 10 matches, including France-Namibia, and the M6 group will show the other 18 games.

TF1 said the deal furthered its ambition to provide free-to-air coverage of the best of international sport, and to make it available to the greatest number of people.

The men’s Rugby World Cup will kick off on at September 8 at 21:00 on TF1, when France take on the All Blacks at the Stade de France.

Historically, TF1 has broadcast nearly all editions of the tournament since 1991.