French and Italian soccer leagues, Ligue 1 and Serie A, have taken a new approach to reach fans in the UK and Ireland by launching their own direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming services. This shift comes after both leagues faced challenges in securing traditional broadcast deals in these markets.
Starting from the 2024/25 season, UK and Irish fans can watch every Ligue 1 match live through a subscription service called Ligue 1 Pass. The service, operated by Endeavor Streaming, offers a subscription at £9.99 per month. Alongside live matches, Ligue 1 Pass will feature exclusive content and additional functionalities throughout the season. Initially, the first rounds of games were streamed for free on a web platform, with an app set to launch soon.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), Ligue 1's governing body, is collaborating with the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce & Industry to promote the new streaming service to French communities in London and other parts of England. This move follows extensive discussions with both free and subscription broadcasters in the UK, though no traditional deal materialised.
Similarly, Italy’s Serie A has introduced its own DTC service, "Home of Serie A," in partnership with the soccer-focused platform OneFootball. This service will stream all 380 Serie A matches of the 2024/25 season, with various subscription options available, including individual matches at £4.99 or full-season passes at £99.99. While TNT Sports will still broadcast two Serie A matches per week in the UK, the remaining games will be exclusively available on the streaming platform.
The decision by both Ligue 1 and Serie A to go direct-to-consumer reflects a broader challenge European soccer leagues face in securing favorable international media rights deals. While this new approach ensures that UK fans can access all games, it also suggests a need for these leagues to adapt to evolving market conditions and the growing importance of digital streaming platforms.
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