DAZN’s Rocky start in France: Subscription numbers lag and criticism grows

Two and a half months since launching in France, DAZN finds itself well below its anticipated subscriber numbers, while its coverage of the championship has also come under scrutiny.

This issue dominated the French football scene throughout the summer, amidst a crisis over TV broadcasting rights.

With the Ligue 1 season looming and no broadcaster in sight, the LFP opted to strike a deal with DAZN, backed by a €400 million agreement supplemented by beIN Sports’ €100 million contribution.

This fell far short of the anticipated billion euros sought by Vincent Labrune. DAZN’s rollout has faced significant criticism, particularly regarding what many perceive as prohibitively high subscription costs.