Ligue 1 + promises to “immerse” viewers to better seduce them

C‘is one of the promises of the new French professional football channel. Consequently, Ligue 1 +: a greater « immersion » Viewer, if not in the game, at least in the life of the teams. Therefore, On the menu from the first meeting broadcast (Rennes-Marseille. Meanwhile, Friday August 15), sequences on the team’s bus, in their changing rooms and that of the referees …

“The pre-match must give a little more room to direct players. Furthermore, players, coaches, referees, to avoid staying between journalists and consultants by the field”explained Jérôme Cazadieu, editorial director of the chain. However, to immerse, is that to improve?

Invasive cameras. Similarly, microphones – Ligue 1 + promises "immerse"

For example, it will be a question of following the warm-ups with mobile cameras on the lawn, equipping a microphone with a member of the staff, of questioning the coach before the start of the ligue 1 + promises “immerse” second period or a player replaced during it. Moreover, A cameraman will even be able to enter the field when celebrating a goal. However, breaking the sanctuarization of the field of play.

In the same logic. For example, the use of a « ref cam »camera carried by the referee at the last club World Cup and tested in the Premier League this season, is in negotiation with the authorities. For example, The idea extends that of the “sound system” of the referees.

Insufficient access to the backstage of clubs. matches was precisely one of the grievances invoked by the broadcaster of last season, Dazn, in his litigation with the Professional Football League (LFP). The operator saw it as an explanation for his weak recruitment of subscribers. a commitment not respected by the League.

Faced with this request shared by the previous broadcasters. clubs are reluctant ligue 1 + promises “immerse” to give access to their intimacy and the “secret of the locker room”, less for fear of leaving tactical indiscretions than weakening the necessary separation between behind the scenes and the scene.

In an overexposed media environment. the invasive presence of cameras and microphones presents risks, such as that of the disclosure of internal tensions or even controversial remarks, except that of deconcentrating the players.

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This promise of immersion was already the one… of Canal+ in November 1984 when the. French championship was started by the new encrypted channel. To this football then television “In two dimensions”Charles Biétry. patron of the sports service, will later say that they wanted “Add depth, emotion, sound. “” We wanted to offer a total spectacle. film emotions on the faces “, will complete the director of the first match, Jean-Paul Jaud. The new grammar of the sports retransmission ligue 1 + promises “immerse” takes shape.

The cameras disseminate behind the goals. in the corridor of access to the field, the microphones also to restore the atmosphere and give the floor to the actors. Journalists appear on the edge of the lawn. Until the years 2010, it is essential to attend chaotic celebrations in the locker room of the victorious team.

The realization intends to dive into the game itself. From five during the inaugural Nantes-Monaco of 1984. the number of cameras increased to around thirty and that of the plans several hundred. Slow down, close-ups on the faces, cutting plans on the players on the foot, on the ligue 1 + promises “immerse” benches, the stands … even if this meta-spectacle makes the game lose and drowns the viewer in the images.

However. in a context where relationships between actors and the media are distended and tend to be both, where club communication is increasingly supervised and neutralized, where the risks of controversies increases, this penetration of diffusers in the intimacy of the teams is soon no longer.

What editorial choices?

Ligue 1 + thus intends to gradually implement its interference so as not to rush the clubs. Which. for their part, will respond all the more favorably to this request since their survival depends on the success of the new channel.

It remains to be seen whether this approach improves the quality of the show and the spectator’s experience. The added value of players’ interviews, especially at halftime, is doubtful as their speech is formatted. ligue 1 + promises “immerse” All these “plus” are not real novelties. are not intended to reinvent television football or to make it cross a level.

The idea is to deliver a more attractive story. not necessarily more qualitative, without questioning editorial choices entered into habits – like those of the production of matches. Regarding restoring the link with the audiences of French football, efforts and innovations would however be welcome.

The first impressions suggest that after-match. emissions (with an excessively male casting, however) ligue 1 + promises “immerse” will leave more room for the analysis of the game, images and expertise in support, and will avoid the trap of the debtaterative talk show. At least we can expect a moderation of ritual denigration of referees.

Because the elephant in the studios of Ligue 1 + is that it is an institutional chain which. even more than the traditional rights, must sell its product. It is less question than ever to take a critical look at French football – its economy. its governance, its relations with the audiences. Ligue 1 + is the fruit.