The arrival of Lionel Messi at Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG), confirmed Tuesday, August 10, also makes people happy in the audiovisual sector. The transfer of the Argentine star is unexpected good news for Amazon, broadcaster of Ligue 1, but also for Canal +, holder of the rights to the championship and the Champions League, as well as for BeIN Sports and RMC Sport, co-broadcasters with the subsidiary. of Vivendi from the European Cup. “It is an additional and extraordinary windfall”, comments economist Pierre Rondeau, co-director of the Sports Observatory at the Jean-Jaurès Foundation.
“For Amazon, having bought for only 250 million euros [par saison] 80% of the championship where the best player on the planet is playing, it’s ubiquitous ”, adds Mr. Rondeau. The leader of e-commerce had already, by acquiring Ligue 1, on June 11, to everyone’s surprise, “Made a very good move, but it becomes the coup of the century, abounds Vincent Chaudel, founder of the Observatoire du sport business. Had Messi’s arrival been announced before the rights were awarded in June, it would have pushed up prices. “
Contacted, Jeff Bezos’ company does not comment on the acquisition made by PSG and does not give audience figures on the first Ligue 1 matches that it broadcast on the weekend of August 7. “For Amazon, it’s all good, because seeing Messi is one more reason to subscribe to its Prime service, the aim of which is to increase the number of captive customers and enduring consumers of its e-platform. trade “, decrypts Jean-Pascal Gayant, sports economist.
“Challenge for Amazon”
the “Increased attractiveness” is difficult to quantify, however, and will focus on “10% of matches, or 38 out of 380, that is to say those of PSG, whose media interest is more important than the others, nuance M. Gayant. The arrival of Messi will have no impact on a Bordeaux-Brest ”. For the expert and consultant in sports rights Pierre Maes, the transfer of the legend of Barça “Can only encourage more people to take out the double subscription necessary to see Ligue 1 on Amazon”.
Indeed, following the French championship requires both becoming a member of Prime, the loyalty service of the e-commerce giant (49 euros per year or 5.99 euros per month) and subscribing to the channel. The Ligue 1 Pass for 12.99 euros per month. “For Amazon, to be successful with Ligue 1 is almost as big a challenge as for Mediapro”, the previous broadcaster, who had been criticized for the high price (25 euros) of the subscription to his Téléfoot channel, before throwing in the towel, warns Mr. Maes.
You have 41.89% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.