LNR renew free-to-air deal after millions watch Top 14 final

The Ligue Nationale du Rugby (LNR) have confirmed the renewal of its contract with France Télévisions for the free-to-air broadcast of the TOP 14 Final for the period 2024 - 2027.

A long-standing partner of the LNR, France Télévisions will continue within the framework of a new agreement, to offer the Final of the TOP 14 - which each year sees the best team in France raise the coveted Bouclier de Brennus - live on France 2.

The 2022 Final between Castres and Montpellier - which MHR won 29 - 10, was watched by more than 3.2 million viewers - a 18.1 per cent share of the television audience at time.

Already broadcaster of the Men's and Women's Six Nations and of the test matches of the French national team in France and European Rugby Cups, the LNR says "France Télévisions confirms, through this new agreement, its historic commitment to rugby in all of its components and its status as the largest open-air rugby ground in the audiovisual landscape."

It's a similar deal to the Gallagher Premiership, although the Top 14 can boast a significantly larger viewership.

The Gallagher Premiership final was watched by an average audience on ITV4 of 597,000 (peaking at 831,000), while at the same time an average audience of 349,000, (peaking at 480,000) tuned into BT Sport.

At a combined peak of 1.3m viewers, it was the most-watched Premiership match ever.