ANSWER TO THE QUESTION ON THE TELEVISION COVERAGE OF RUGBY LEAGUE IN FRANCE
Question No. 26534 of May 21, 2013
Marion Marechal-Le Pen asked the Foreign Minister of Sports, Youth, popular education and community life on the state of rugby league in France. A few months before the start of the World Cup this fall, including two games will be held in France (Avignon and Perpignan), the way that discipline is handled in public broadcasting and the French sports landscape is particularly unfavorable comparison of rugby. Indeed, none of these two games will be broadcast on France Television antenna group, no more than have been the championship final of France or the Coupe de France. Rugby league is a separate discipline, telegenic and offering more dynamic than the rugby game, she meets a lot of interest in the world (Australia, Britain, New Zealand), but also in France, especially in the south-east, as Vaucluse. She continues, unfortunately, suffer from a ban by the Vichy regime, which favored the XV fact, as noted by the report of the Committee Azéma presented in March 2002 at the request of the Minister Marie-George Buffet. It is surprising indifference suffered a sport that gave France two world titles (1951 and 1955) and several titles of European Champion (1939, 1947, 1951, 1952, 1977, 1981, 2005). She asked about his intentions to support the team of France and the French Federation of Rugby League in the context of the World Cup and whether it will upgrade the discipline.
Response August 27, 2013
In a difficult economic environment for the free channels, a trend towards concentration of sports on television paying operators is found. This issue and that of the media to a wider variety of sports among the concerns of the Minister of Sports, Youth, popular education and community life, which began to consider in conjunction with the Higher Audiovisual (CSA) Board and other departments concerned. However, it must be given the necessary balance with the financing of sport. On the one hand, it is to supplement the provisions of Decree No. 2004-1392 of 22 December 2004 to ensure that the main events considered of major importance for society, aims and whose broadcasting rights were acquired by chains with restricted access, can continue to be followed by the largest number of spectators and are not disseminated only on channels with restricted access. On the other hand, it should work in conjunction with the CSA, which controls the conditions of free dissemination of brief excerpts, in order to enhance the exposure of disciplines or practices not widely distributed, especially women. Regarding more specifically the discipline of rugby league, the French Federation of Rugby League (FFR XIII) conducts regular actions to better media: - the final of the Coupe de France in 2013 went on Team 21; - all matches Catalans Dragons are broadcast on Beinsport chain - the States of Origin (match Australian states) and the NRL championship (Australian) are broadcast on Beinsport chain - the two matches of the Cup World France, November 1, 2013 against New Zealand in Avignon and November 11 against the Samoa Islands in Perpignan, have been the subject of intense preparation in terms of organization, financing and promotion. Finally, within the framework of the Convention objectives in 2013, the federation is seen with a grant of 439 K ? and nine technical and sports consultants, agents of the Ministry of Sports.
