Formula One’s commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that Spain will lose one of its grand prix race dates from next year under a new arrangement that will allow Barcelona and Valencia set to share hosting duties.

Four of the sports broadcasting industry’s most respected figures will speak at the first TVSM Live event in Paris on Thursday, May 10.

Formula One appears poised to complete a long-awaited return to France after the sport’s commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone, confirmed that a deal is “done”.

Four of the biggest players in the sports media rights industry have signed up to speak at the inaugural TVSM Live, a new annual event organised by the market’s leading publisher, TV Sports Markets.

Al Jazeera has strengthened its new-found position as the dominant force in football broadcasting in France by acquiring a major rights deal to cover UEFA Euro 2012 and 2016 alongside free-to-air channels TF1 and M6.

France’s Prime Minister Francois Fillon has confirmed that talks are ongoing with Formula One organisers about returning the country to the sport’s calendar, but has admitted that the race fee is proving a sticking point.

France is poised to return to the Formula One calendar for the first time since 2008 with Prime Minister Francois Fillon set to visit the Paul Ricard Circuit on Friday amid speculation that the Le Castellet venue could stage a race as early as 2013.

This month’s Soccerex European Forum will include a special session hosted by the European Stadium & Safety Management Association (ESSMA) detailing France’s stadium projects for its staging of UEFA Euro 2016.

The French Football League (LFP) has joined forces with MP & Silva and Al Jazeera Sport in a multi-faceted partnership which aims to further enhance the international growth of Ligue 1.

Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) has acquired the remaining 30% stake in Paris Saint-Germain in a deal that values the French Ligue 1 club at Eur100 million.