The recent Ligue 1 match between OL and OM intensified illegal streaming activities despite DAZN’s promotional offers. High subscription costs have driven fans to piracy, with thousands tuning into illegal streams on platforms like Telegram and TikTok. LFP president Vincent Labrune announced plans to escalate the fight against piracy as DAZN continues to navigate its pricing strategy amid customer dissatisfaction.
The clash between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and Olympique de Marseille (OM) this past Sunday ignited a rampant surge of piracy in the world of Ligue 1. This eagerly anticipated match, ultimately won by OM with a score of 3-2, became an epicenter for illegal streaming, mirroring ongoing frustrations with the official broadcasting platform, DAZN. Despite stern warnings from the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) and enticing promotional offers from DAZN, the trend shows no signs of reversing. Within mere minutes of the match’s commencement, Telegram accounts witnessed a staggering 80,000 users congregating for uninterrupted live streams. Some channels, propelled by the chaotic energy of the game, boasted over 90,000 viewers just as the final moments ticked away. Not to be outdone, TikTok streams had thousands engaging in the action, with some unlucky broadcasters facing bans mid-match while others continued their coverage without a hitch. X (formerly Twitter) also offered a sanctuary for eager fans, gathering multitudes who were eager to witness the thrilling encounter online. The widespread piracy can largely be attributed to DAZN’s pricing strategy, which many fans consider excessively high. The platform, airing eight matches per matchday, charges 39.99 euros per month for its no-commitment plan and 29.99 euros for a year-long subscription. In response to backlash, DAZN rolled out promotional rates from September 10 to 22, lowering the cost to 19.99 euros for both subscription types temporarily, an offer that was later extended for an additional week. Brice Daumin, the CEO of DAZN France, assured that the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “The returns from Ligue 1 fans, clubs, and the entire market have been very good,” he stated, adding that criticisms had subsided following the promotional cuts. Despite the lack of clarity regarding subscription numbers, piracy remains rampant. Following his recent re-election, LFP President Vincent Labrune announced a commitment to intensifying efforts against piracy. “We plan to convene a Ligue 1 committee with all clubs to explore ways to accelerate the platform’s success. We can fight against piracy, which is a scourge. We are the only ones who can battle this issue and will do everything to make it a success. Starting tomorrow, we will confront piracy boldly across all fronts: media, political, and legal. Piracy is like stealing a handbag from an elderly lady at the market,” he fervently declared.
The rise of illegal streaming during sports events has become a growing concern for leagues and broadcasters worldwide. Particularly in France, high subscription prices can lead frustrated fans to seek out alternative methods to access live games. Platforms like DAZN, which has secured rights to broadcast Ligue 1 matches, must navigate this piracy issue while keeping fans satisfied with their offerings. The LFP is also ramping up its strategies to combat the problem, illustrating the immediate need for solutions as piracy threatens to undermine official broadcasts and associated revenue.
In summary, the OL-OM match underscored the ongoing battle against sports piracy, exacerbated by high subscription costs. With DAZN trying to entice customers through promotional pricing and the LFP pledging stricter measures against illegal streams, the landscape of sports broadcasting remains fraught with challenges as they strive to maintain their audiences in a changing digital world. The commitment to combat piracy must be matched by fair pricing to truly satisfy the soccer-loving public.
Original Source: rmcsport.bfmtv.com
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