DAZN is having difficulty increasing its number of subscribers and doubt exists as to the English broadcaster's ability to achieve its objective within a year. Faced with this situation, eyes are turning to Canal+.
As a reminder, DAZN will have the possibility of terminating its contract with the Professional Football League in December 2025 if the English streaming platform has not reached its target of 1.5 million subscribers. For the moment, the main broadcaster of Ligue 1 is far from the count since according to the latest estimates, it has barely more than 500,000 subscribers. Internally, we remain confident and we are banking on current promotions to increase this figure. But in reality, nothing says that Ligue 1 will still be on the program on DAZN in a year because if the situation does not improve, the broadcaster has a good chance of fleeing. In this scenario, the LFP would once again find itself with its nose in the water and could be forced to draw its weapon of last resort, namely a channel published 100% by the League.
A scenario that is best avoided according to journalist Pierre Lescure, former manager of Canal+, who would love to see the encrypted channel return to business… without really believing in it, however. “Will Canal have to get back into the game and renegotiate a pact with the League? We cannot afford to limp like we have for two or three seasons” estimates the journalist in L’Equipe before continuing. “ This is very damaging for football and its economy. I don’t even understand how the Ministry of Sports does not take up this issue” he gets annoyed, before concluding.
Canal+ back in the negotiation game at the end of 2025?
“There comes a time when you can’t let it happen. We need to structure the football offering much better. If cinema were in danger, the State, which has always interfered with small and large clubs, that is to say art films and big machines, would get involved.. The fact remains that for the moment, it is only up to the LFP to get by in this endless series of TV rights. The simplest thing for the League would of course be for DAZN to be a hit and for the broadcaster to remain in place for the five years of the contract. But if it does not achieve its profitability objective by December 2025, the broadcaster could fold its sails and in this case, eyes would logically turn to Canal+.
