Fans will have to wait. On Monday evening, the National Assembly voted down an amendment that would have required one Ligue 1 match per round to be broadcast on free-to-air television.

The measure, which had been approved in committee several weeks prior, was intended to be included in a bill reforming professional sports. Its aim was to allow a broadcaster to air one Ligue 1 fixture each weekend.

Lawmakers who supported the amendment sought to improve access to French football. In the explanatory note, they argued that the growing number of broadcasters and subscription services was pushing some fans away from national competitions. The plan was to create a specific package in future bidding processes so a channel could broadcast a selection of matches per round. Proponents also believed such exposure could help fight piracy. The proposal came as fans today must juggle multiple offers to follow the entire championship.

LFP opposed it

However, this option was not unanimously backed within professional football. Several club leaders and the Professional Football League worried that a free match each week would diminish the value of audiovisual rights. For clubs already hit by falling TV revenues in recent years, the economic aspect remained critical. A free-to-air broadcast would have required establishing a new lot in tenders, with no guarantee of extra income. The rejection of the amendment means that Ligue 1 broadcasts will not change in the near future. The Ligue 1+ platform will continue to hold all championship matches. Although the discussion appears closed for now, the question of French football accessibility could quickly return in upcoming talks about television rights.