The World Cup is approaching. In France, its media coverage has raised several questions. A television channel has decided to collaborate with a famous influencer for its coverage of the event. Are traditional journalists and media being left behind? This Saturday, MS reflects on the media coverage of sports in 2026.
Du classique mais pas que !
During the 2026 World Cup, while M6 plans to have traditional broadcasts, the French broadcaster is also innovating. Apart from its commentators, journalists, and consultants, they will also include Michou, one of the most popular content creators in France.
In France, TF1, the historical broadcaster of the French national team in World Cup matches, has decided to skip the event. A sign of the times, especially since the most-watched channel in the country has also announced the end of Téléfoot, its legendary program.
[Read also: World Cup of football: the battle for broadcasting rights before the matches]
Les publics et les usages évoluent
Even though the major newspaper “L’Équipe” recently celebrated its 80th anniversary, it is undeniable that media audiences and usage have evolved dramatically in recent years, in France and elsewhere. And it’s far from over!
It’s challenging for major media outlets to ignore the fact that with social media ruling the roost, sports consumption is no longer limited to traditional channels. It’s also hard for specialized journalists to accept giving way to influencers or simply revising their way of covering events.
Furthermore, what are the consequences of these media changes on the organization of sports, its development, and its economy?
[Read also: Tickets too expensive, fans excluded: the organization of the 2026 World Cup becoming increasingly fragile]
Mondial Sports will delve into these questions this Saturday, with:
- Jean Resseguie, a famous French commentator, author of “The Story of a Football Voice” published by Talent Sport.
- Christophe Lepetit, director of economic studies at CDES Limoges.
- Seghir Lazri, a sports sociologist.
The audio will be available on the page starting from Sunday at 7:05 pm.
