MENA
Spring Media to market Arabian Gulf League rights
The Spring Media agency has agreed a global digital distribution deal with the UAE Pro League for the Arabian Gulf League club football competition and its respective cup tournaments
Top rights-holders unable to retain Saudi legal counsel in fight against beoutQ
A seven-strong group of rights-holders have been unable to retain legal counsel in Saudi Arabia, having tried to launch legal action against pirate broadcaster beoutQ in the Saudi courts
World Rugby to continue Mena RWC rights talks
Rugby World Cup rights-holder World Rugby remains hopeful that it will find a buyer for the Middle East and North African broadcast rights to the 2019 tournament with negotiations in the region still ongoing
Abu Dhabi Media launches UFC Arabia to exploit exclusive rights
Abu Dhabi Media will exploit its exclusive Ultimate Fighting Championship media rights via a new OTT platform dedicated specifically to broadcasting fights across 21 territories in the Middle East and…
Wimbledon rights-holder calls for UK government action over beoutQ piracy
The All England Lawn Tennis Club, which is the rights-holder of the Wimbledon tennis grand slam, has become the latest sporting body to call for pressure to be increased on Saudi authorities concerning…
World Surf League signs Fuel TV deal for China, EMEA coverage
Pay-television action sports channel Fuel TV has acquired World Surf League rights in China as well as the Europe, Middle East and Africa
Qatar takes to WTO in beoutQ battle
Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has claimed significant progress in the state’s dispute settlement proceedings against Saudi Arabia at the World Trade Organization in relation to the activities of …
CAF to join BeoutQ legal action following mass piracy of AFCON group matches
The Confédération Africaine de Football (Caf) has pledged to join other major rights holders in a legal battle against Saudi Arabian pirate channel BeoutQ after mass piracy affected all 36 of the Africa C…
BeIN picks up rights to Ligue 1 pre-season tournament
Pay-television broadcaster beIN Sports has acquired rights in a number of territories to the upcoming EA Ligue 1 pre-season football tournament
Motorsport Network strikes strategic partnership for Mena region
Digital media platform Motorsport Network has created a joint venture with Triangle Media, a Middle East-based communication and event management company, to expand its presence in the Mena region
BeIN secures LaLiga extension in Mena through to 2024
Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Media Group has secured a four-season extension to its current deal with Spanish football's LaLiga in the Middle East and North Africa, taking the contract to the end of the…
Israeli Basketball Premier League domestic rights flat as market cools
The value of the Israeli Basketball Premier League’s domestic rights has stalled, with incumbent pay-television broadcaster Sports Channel renewing rights from 2019-20 amid little competition.
BeIN cuts almost 20 per cent of staff in Qatar, but no cuts expected in SEA
Pay-television broadcaster BeIN Sports has laid off almost 300 employees in Qatar, or about 18 per cent of its local staff
OSN to close last sports channels in July due to piracy
Pay-television operator OSN has blamed piracy in the Middle East and North Africa for its decision to close its cricket channel next month, the last of its dedicated sports channels
WSC Sports adds Stern, Kosner as company advisors
Israeli video technology company adds NBA Commissioner Emeritus, former ESPN digital chief to its leadership ranks
French court fails to find ‘clear and illegal disruption’ in Arabsat case
A recent French court ruling that regional satellite provider Arabsat is a signal carrier for pirate broadcaster beoutQ also stated that claimant, Qatar-based beIN Media, failed to show evidence of “clear a…
Fifa ‘seeks cooperation’ of Arabsat to tackle beoutQ Women’s World Cup piracy
World football’s governing body Fifa is “seeking the cooperation” of regional satellite provider Arabsat to prevent further unauthorised broadcasts of its Women’s World Cup competition by Saudi-based pirate …
ESPN picks up rights to Major League Lacrosse in EMEA
International sports broadcaster ESPN has acquired rights across Europe, the Middle East and Africa to US-based Major League Lacrosse (MLL)