France Télévisions may end free-to-air broadcast of Coupe de France

The broadcasting future of the Coupe de France is uncertain as France Télévisions considers not renewing its long-standing contract with the Fédération Française de Football (FFF). The public broadcaster is facing significant budgetary constraints, aiming to reduce costs by 47 million euros by 2027, which has placed sports rights under scrutiny.

Delphine Ernotte, president of France Télévisions, indicated in an interview with Le Monde that the group will continue to renegotiate program and sports rights, noting that certain competitions, such as the Coupe de France, might not be renewed. For nearly twenty years, the competition has been available on free-to-air television, allowing the general public to watch matches without a subscription.

Negotiations have reportedly stalled over the cost of the rights. While the FFF seeks to maintain broad exposure, France Télévisions has reportedly proposed reducing its annual contract cost from 8 million to 4 million euros, a figure deemed insufficient by the FFF. While the FFF has not been officially informed of a final decision, the federation continues to seek a compromise or potential support from public authorities to ensure the tournament remains accessible to the public.