Maxime Saada warns tax rise could hit French sport

Canal+ president Maxime Saada has warned that a proposed tax increase could force the broadcaster to reduce its contribution to French sport. The measure could also lead to higher subscription prices from 2028 or 2029 and carries the possibility of job cuts within the group. Saada said Canal+ could not absorb the full financial impact alone.

The proposal in the 2027 finance bill would double the VAT rate applied to pay television from 10% to 20%. Canal+ estimates that the change would add €200 million to its annual costs. Saada criticised the decision as economically unsound and said the company would have to reconsider some of its investments in sport and cinema.

His warning comes as French football continues to deal with the consequences of Canal+ leaving the Ligue 1 rights process in 2024. The league’s own broadcast channel subsequently failed, contributing to a sharp decline in clubs’ audiovisual income. Saada argued that the current situation showed the risks of losing a major financier, while noting that Paris Saint-Germain earns more from the Champions League than from Ligue 1.

Canal+ remains a major rights-holder in French sport, including the Champions League, the Première Ligue féminine and professional rugby. The broadcaster secured the Top 14 and Pro D2 rights for 2027-2032 in a deal worth €139.4 million per season. Rugby’s professional league has said that 70% of its resources come from Canal+ audiovisual rights.