- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Flipboard
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Tumblr
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Comment
PARIS — Another television tax on major international sporting events might be on the way for French broadcasters.
The National Center for the Development of Sport, dealing with an $18.1 million budget shortfall, is seeking to amend the Finance Act of 2000, which levies a 5 percent tax on events from France-based organizations that air locally. But major events organized outside the country — such as the annual European rugby tournament Six Nations, headquartered in Dublin, and the UEFA Champions League soccer tournament, headquartered in Geneva — are not presently subject to the tax, even when they take place in France.
The additional tax could fall heavily on beleaguered pubcaster France Televisions, which airs the Six Nations and other international rugby matches and is facing massive budget cuts. Channels TF1, M6 and beIN Sport also could be hit with new fees, estimated to range from $1.3 million-$4 million apiece for the soccer matches that fill their schedules.
The office of Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault will examine the proposal by year’s end, though Paris-based newspaper Le Figaro reports politicians are expressing reservations as it might risk major events being moved to pay channels and “depriving the wider public access to these events.”
Related Stories
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day