Canal+ could offer F1 on its free TNT channel
The question is stirring all French Formula 1 enthusiasts: on which channel will F1 be broadcast after 2012, the year the current TF1 contract ends? While the main channel seems ready to cut costs, its rival Canal+ may use F1 as a compelling argument for the free channel it wishes to launch on TNT.
The pay channel, in fact, announced on March 25 its intention to create a free channel on digital terrestrial television. This is in response to a desire to find new growth drivers and to take advantage of the rebound in the advertising market while the television landscape is undergoing significant changes with the rise of the Internet.
This announcement has caused quite a stir in the French media landscape, as Canal+ would then be in direct competition with the generalist channels TF1 and M6. This is where sports in general, and F1 in particular, come into play. Bernie Ecclestone has made broadcasting Grand Prix races on free television one of the imperatives of his business strategy to meet the teams’ demands for maximum media exposure of sponsors, which translates to increased investments from these financial partners.
This seriously compromised the possibility for Canal to play the spoiler by getting involved in the upcoming bidding process, which will be launched soon to prepare for the post-2012 period, when TF1’s contract expires. But according to Le Figaro, Canal 20, the current name of the projected channel, could solve the problem, especially since M6, which has already expressed its intention to apply, doesn’t have deep pockets following the significant investment made to secure part of the French national football team’s matches.
If M6 had been overtaken by a higher bid from TF1 in the final stretch of the previous tender, it could meet another significant rival in the event of a withdrawal from the first channel.
With the participation of RacingBusiness.fr
