72% of French people would like to see more women’s sport on television, but we are still a long way from that

Kick-off of the women’s football Euro on 6 July 2022! Good news, you will be able to follow the games on television because they will be entirely broadcast by the channels of the TF1 group. Many of us are already happy… Because the French’s appetite for women’s sport has continued to increase in recent years.

Trial, 55% of French people say they watch women’s sport on television and 72% wish there was more, according to a recent survey conducted by the TF1 group with the magazine Causette. However, for In 85% of respondents, the media still too often invisible women’s sporting events on our screens.

Only 19% of the broadcast time dedicated to sports is dedicated to sports …

The broadcast time dedicated to women’s sport is therefore far from equal. According to the 2021 data, revealed by the CSA and the Ministry of Sport, only 19-20% of the total hourly volume dedicated by the channels to sport is dedicated to sports.

A figure, albeit increasing – screen time spent covering women’s protests grew 248% between 2011 and 2019, but it’s still not convincing. So why is the media coverage of women’s sport behind three assists?

A question of prejudice … and money

This The delay lies primarily in the prejudices that are still strong: “Women are less good than men”, “Their competitions are less impressive, less interesting”, and let’s go. If you’ve never heard these comments around you when you talk about women’s sport, it’s because we don’t live on the same planet (at least in France).

Not surprisingly, our society and its patriarchal system are still attached to many stereotypes about women and sports. The history of the high level of women has suffered from it for some time, and still struggles to get rid of it.

Especially since TV channelsalso in 2022, fears again and again that women’s sport will mobilize a smaller audience than men’s. You understand, fewer viewers also means less money for the channel. CQFD. Why, in light of this observation, risk highlighting women when men’s sport already generates billions?

And the vicious circle has just begun: if you think there is no public, there is no diffusion, and therefore visibility. Without visibility, few fans, and therefore little money for the clubs that therefore cannot make an investment … for the fans. Are you still following?

Nevertheless Women’s World Cup 2019 who crowned the United States team worn by Megan Rapinoe, showed exactly the opposite. It was the same when our national teams were on the field: at every performance of the French (and not only!), The public records followed one another. The final even became the most watched show of the year, with 1.2 billion viewers. And around the players of Corinne Deacon a real craze was created, until their exit in the quarter-finals by the Americans. “All behind the blue! “ we could read, in particular on social networks.

Several women’s events to follow in 2022 on television

But what should be done then, in order for women’s sport to establish itself in a lasting and fair way on our screens? We remember that for years the only broadcast time dedicated to sport was dedicated to participants in mixed championships, like the Olympic Games or tennis tournaments.

Particularly recent is the advent of exclusively female sporting events, which have finally given women the opportunity to find their place little by little. And the year 2022 did not say its last word.

The Euro for women’s football will take place until 31 July and will be broadcast by the TF1 Group channels. rebel, in October 2022 for the Women’s Rugby World Cup and a month later for the Women’s Handball Euro.

And that’s not all (and this makes us happy): you can also follow the first edition of the women’s Tour de France from 24 July 2022 on the channels of the France Télévisions group. Who will be the yellow jersey? Mystery. One thing is certain: she will be a woman, finally, a recognized sportswoman at the right level of her. And this makes us happy. Simple enough.

Featured Image: © Anthony Bibard / FEP / SPORT ICON -FFF