As part of the M6 Group contract, free-to-air channel W9 will broadcast the first-choice Europa League game in addition to a highlights programme each match night. Matches featuring local teams in the semi-finals and final will be shown on M6. Al Jazeera has acquired rights to all games, including the final, and will screen at least two live matches per kick-off slot as well as highlights every match night.
The announcement marks a major setback for French pay-television broadcaster Canal Plus, which currently holds the rights alongside M6 in France and originally submitted a joint bid with the commercial broadcaster for the 2012-15 seasons. UEFA’s marketing agency, Team Marketing, asked M6 and Canal Plus to submit separate bids in the latest round of the tender. Al Jazeera dislodged Canal Plus as the Champions League rights-holder in France late last year.
“UEFA is pleased to announce the continued partnership with the M6 Group for the UEFA Europa League and to further develop its relationship with Al Jazeera in the French market,” read a statement from European football’s governing body. “UEFA would like to thank long-term content partner Canal Plus for its continued commitment and dedication to the competition.”