The UFC have long been trying to unite the world through the violence of mixed martial arts. While most of the world has jumped on board, some countries are still just warming up to the sport. That includes France, who legalized the sport just earlier this year. To mark the occasion, Bellator MMA decided to have a show. However, they were forced to use live streams on YouTube to give the show for free to the consumers, as broadcasters couldn’t get rights.
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This issue was created by the CSA (Conseil Supérieur de l’audiovisuel). The guidelines issued by the CSA behind the broadcast of the sport in the country were the main culprit. The full list of guidelines is mentioned below. While every country attempts to regulate the broadcast of MMA to some extent, France’s efforts are rooted in a dislike towards the sport in general.
📺Nous sommes heureux de partager avec vous, cette très bonne nouvelle !
Nouvelle victoire pour la #FMMAF, le CSA dit oui à la diffusion du #MMA à la TV
⚠ Restez connectés, nous dévoilerons très prochainement les modalités qui entourent cette annonce plus en détails ! pic.twitter.com/UQ143fh0NU— FMMAF (@FMMAF_France) November 4, 2020
The process of legalization in the country took a long time. So long that many French fighters had to leave their home country completely for training. The problems for MMA in France are piling, but at least a step has been taken. The CSA has been willing to negotiate with partners over this issue. Nonetheless, some of the restrictions seem archaic and unnecessary.
The guidelines issued for UFC and MMA broadcasts in France
- Retaining an ‘over 16’ category for the broadcasts and only showing MMA action after 10.30 pm (CET) on free-to-air linear channels and after 8.30 pm on premium and pay-per-view services.
- The broadcasts of MMA fights taking place abroad are only possible if the rules and techniques used are comparable to the standards of safety and integrity that the French Boxing Federation strives to verify when organizing MMA fights in France.
- Publishers of on-demand footage comply with restrictions set when showing MMA fight excerpts, and are vigilant in the choice of excerpts offered, especially during the day.
- Broadcasters and publishers accompany MMA broadcasts with a warning to the public about the nature of the images.
- Broadcasters encouraged to give full exposure to the women’s practice of this discipline.
What do you think about these rules? Are the restrictions over MMA broadcasting justified? Let us know in the comments below!
