The Professional Fighter League (PFL), the most progressive and quickly growing sports league, has obtained a multi-year media rights agreement with the French TV network, Canal+, to broadcast across French-speaking countries.
As part of the deal, CANAL+ will offer live localised content for every PFL Global, PFL Europe, PFL MENA, Bellator Champions Series, PFL Super Fights, select PFL and Bellator archives, and PFL Africa, which will debut in 2025.
PFL will also gain visibility from its broadcast on Canal+ Sport channels in Sub-Saharan Africa, where eight million households will watch PFL action with French commentary on linear channels.
The cooperation also covers Myanmar and Haiti, where CANAL+ broadcasts various sporting events.
James Frewin, PFL Managing Director International, said, “The Professional Fighters League could not be more excited to partner with Canal+ bringing our brand to French speaking Sub-Saharan Africa. The PFL believes strongly in connecting with MMA fans in areas that have been traditionally underserved in the sport and doing so in their native languages. Canal+ is the sports media brand that lives in the hearts and minds of the French speaking population in Sub-Saharan Africa and is synonymous with premium sport.”
Furthermore, the 2024 PFL Global Season and Global Season Playoffs will be broadcast live on ESPN platforms in the United States, DAZN in Canada and Europe, and other premium sports platforms worldwide.
Acquiring Canal+ as a broadcast partner would permit PFL to expand its brand in French-speaking nations such as France, Belgium, and a number of African countries, as well as increase its marketing of PFL Africa.
Jacques du Puy, CEO of CANAL+ International, said, “We are proud to bring PFL to our African subscribers. Fighting competitions, and MMA leagues in particular, attract ever larger audiences of fans among African audiences. And we are all the more thrilled to partner with a dedicated PFL franchise in Africa and broadcast top fights with stars such as Francis Ngannou or Cedric Doumbe. This perfectly fits our strategy of promoting African sport on the continent and beyond.”
