Middle East
WWE expands Saudi events agreement, looks to Mena rights deal
World Wrestling Entertainment has signed an expanded events agreement with the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, guaranteeing a second annual large-scale wrestling event in the country until 2027
AFC issues UAE tender for media rights from 2021 to 2024
The Asian Football Confederation has issued an invitation to tender for broadcast rights in the United Arab Emirates from 2021 to 2024
Sony renews rights for Abu Dhabi T10 League
Indian pay-television broadcaster Sony Pictures Networks has acquired rights for the 2019 edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 League cricket tournament, taking place November 14-24
Football bodies pile pressure on Arabsat in battle to force beoutQ off the air
At stake is the future funding of elite sport through the sale of media rights.
EXCLUSIVE: ISL set to sign Latin America, Israel broadcast deals
The new franchise-based International Swimming League is poised to sign media-rights deals in Latin America and Israel, SportBusiness Media understands
IAAF to push broadcast boundaries for Doha 2019
The IAAF Productions division of the International Association of Athletics Federations has detailed what it claims will be ground-breaking technology in place for the broadcast of the forthcoming World…
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
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 …
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
WSC Sports adds Stern, Kosner as company advisors
Israeli video technology company adds NBA Commissioner Emeritus, former ESPN digital chief to its leadership ranks
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)
AFC issues ITT for media rights in Saudi Arabia
The Asian Football Confederation has issued an Invitation to Tender for its package of media rights covering the 2021-2024 broadcast cycle in Saudi Arabia
Augusta partners with Facebook to show 2019 US Masters in the Middle East
Augusta National Golf Club has partnered with social media giant Facebook to broadcast the 2019 US Masters to select countries in the Middle East for free
Legal action against beoutQ by Fifa and other major sports rights-holders ‘imminent’
A consortium of major rights-holders is about to launch legal action in the Saudi courts against the beoutQ pirate broadcast operation, which the rights-holders believe is backed by the Saudi government., SportBusiness Media understands.