Mathieu Warnier, Media365: published on Sunday November 10, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
While TF1 exclusively broadcasts the matches of the XV of France as part of the autumn tour, the comments of Stefan Etcheverry and Thomas Lombard are the subject of criticism. The duo assumes its bias to address as many people as possible.
The XV of France got off to a good start on its November tour. This Saturday, on the pitch at the Stade de France, Fabien Galthié's players easily dominated Japan with eight tries. However, for viewers, habits had to change. Indeed, under the contract signed with the Six Nations Committee in February 2023 and valid until 2025, TF1 exclusively broadcasts the fall meetings of the XV of France. On this occasion, the first channel set up a system placing a duo composed of Stefan Etcheverry and Thomas Lombard in the comments. Except that the former Austrian international and the general director of Stade Français Paris were the subject of harsh criticism on social networks, being notably mocked for their inaccuracies. Others do not hesitate to regret the absence of France Televisions to broadcast these matches. Interviewed by the magazine Olympic MiddayStefan Etcheverry assumes respect for the “specifications which are, for TF1, to interest as many people as possible”. It’s all a question of “finding the right balance to be sharp enough, so as not to cut yourself off from viewers who don’t necessarily know rugby”.
Lombard: “We tried to be didactic”
The stated objective is therefore that “rugby is understood by as many people as possible” at the end of the meeting and “without giving a rugby lesson”. Thomas Lombard, for his part, concedes that a “commentator cannot achieve unanimity” before echoing his friend's comments. “We tried to be didactic, to be more in the explanation than in the analysis, to offer a more general public commentary,” confided the former three-quarterback. The subject of rugby rules is a point on which we must make an effort to popularize it. We focused a little on that. » Despite everything, he concedes that his duo with Stefan Etcheverry was “perhaps a little rusty” with the desire to “find the right balance” for the next meetings, in particular the one against New Zealand next weekend. Moreover, TF1 could become increasingly interested in rugby in the years to come, motivated by the very good scores at the last World Cup. In addition to the Women's World Cup next summer in England, the channel would be a candidate for the rights to the 6 Nations Tournament, including the contract with France Televisions expires at the end of the 2025 edition. A communication on the subject could take place next spring.
