The French football broadcasting landscape is facing a significant disruption due to a bitter dispute between Canal+ and LFP Media, the media arm of the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP). This conflict centers around the distribution of Ligue 1+, the new platform for French top-flight football, launched on August 15th, 2025.
A distribution agreement between the two parties failed to materialize, leading Canal+ to initiate legal action against LFP Media. Canal+ alleges anti-competitive practices and challenges the legitimacy of the recent broadcasting rights process. While negotiations reportedly neared a deal, they collapsed when LFP Media insisted Canal+ withdraw its lawsuits as a precondition for partnership. Canal+'s subsequent attempt to distribute Ligue 1+ content without an agreement resulted in LFP Media cutting the broadcast feed.
This conflict carries potentially substantial financial ramifications for both entities, particularly if fans are denied access to matches. The situation has attracted interest from other players like Amazon Prime Video, beIN Sports, and DAZN, hinting at a potential reshaping of the French football broadcasting landscape. The lack of resolution leaves supporters vulnerable to a fragmented media environment with potentially higher subscription costs and reduced access. The dispute's outcome could significantly alter how Ligue 1 is viewed in the years to come, potentially leading to a rise in independent streaming services or increased involvement from international broadcasters.