TF1 should stop broadcasting Formula 1!
New episode in the negotiations regarding the broadcast of Grand Prix in France. TF1's current contract ends at the conclusion of the 2012 season, but its extension seems far from secured when we consider the words of Nonce Paolini in front of his shareholders.
Thus, the CEO of the channel, in statements reported by Le Figaro, says: “«We will see if we renew the contract, but in any case for the moment, the Formula 1 figures have been steadily declining for several years. We must acknowledge that the Grand Prix races are becoming less and less exciting. The numbers no longer meet our expectations and the contract that was signed at the time.”»
This therefore contradicts the statements made last December by Noël Carles, the F1 producer for the leading French channel: TF1 will renegotiate the rights with Bernie Ecclestone in due time. This year has been very good since, with just 100,000 viewers short, we achieved the same audience ratings as in 2009, despite this year being marked by the FIFA World Cup and a great Tour de France!
The path of disengagement has nevertheless already begun with the cessation of live broadcasting of qualifications on TF1, in favor of the paid channel Eurosport. The presence of the pinnacle of world motorsport will thus be reduced to what was done three years ago. In Europe, France is one of the countries with the least airtime dedicated to F1 since the BBC in Great Britain and RTL in Germany have dedicated programs before and after each race. On TF1, viewers can even miss the podium if the 8 PM news is too close.
However, even though France no longer has a race (since 2008), a driver (even if Jules Bianchi and Jean-Eric Vergne are in the starting blocks for Ferrari and Red Bull), or even a team (the former Renault F1 Team has moved under the British flag), it remains true that nearly three million fans got up very early to watch the last Australian Grand Prix.
Another channel might therefore be interested in acquiring the package but at a price significantly lower than the 40 million euros paid annually to Bernie Ecclestone. In the current state of the French broadcasting landscape, only M6 and Canal+ seem interested and capable of making an offer to the FOM. Unless France Télévision decides to enter the fray to mimic its British counterpart.
With the participation of RacingBusiness.fr
