Middle East
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.
Formula One switch to MBC could herald big Middle East market shake-up
Dubai-based free-to-air broadcaster MBC’s acquisition of Formula One in the Middle East and North Africa could trigger a shake-up in the regional rights market, which could lead to MBC’s backer, Saudi Arabia, becoming a legitimate player.
BeIN to launch legal action against AFC for removal of Saudi rights exclusivity
Qatar-based beIN Media Group said on Tuesday it will take legal action against the Asian Football Confederation in response to the latter’s decision to strip it of exclusive broadcast rights in Saudi A…
AFC ends beIN’s rights exclusivity in Saudi Arabia
The Asian Football Confederation confirmed on Tuesday it has removed from beIN Sports exclusive rights in Saudi Arabia to its competitions, claiming the move will help it tackle the illegal exploitation…
Rights-holder action against beoutQ: what is ‘enough’ for beIN Media Group?
BeIN Media Group’s public statement on February 8 that it had dropped Formula One because of the rights-holder’s inaction over the threat posed by the Saudi beoutQ pirate service has caused widespread concern among rights-holders. But it may not be enough to push them into legal action against beoutQ.
Rights-holders left homeless in Middle East after OSN culls sports channels
OSN’s decision to close most of its sports channels will leave a vacuum in the Middle East and North Africa for rights-holders that is unlikely to be filled for some time, experts have told SportBusiness M…
US government urged to take action against Saudi Arabia over beoutQ
A number of US sports and entertainment bodies, trade associations and international broadcasters have made submissions to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) demanding the Kingdom…
BeIN makes Asian Cup final FTA
Qatar’s beIN Media Group has announced that the final of this year’s Asian Cup national team football tournament will be shown on its free-to-air channel.
Premier League adds weight to beoutQ battle
Football’s English Premier League has reiterated its support of beIN Media Group for its ongoing campaign against pirate channel beoutQ.