Qatari broadcaster beIN Media Group has extended its rights deal in the Middle East and North Africa region with European football’s governing body Uefa for the Champions League and Europa League club competitions.
BeIN has secured the exclusive rights to the competitions for the three seasons spanning 2018-19 to 2020-21. The deal comes after Uefa launched a tender for the rights earlier this month, with the deadline for offers having been set at July 17.
Nasser Al Khelaifi, chairman and chief executive of beIN Media Group, said: “This acquisition confirms the strength of our relationships with rights holders such as Uefa and adds to our best in class football offer, available exclusively on beIN Sports.
“We look forward to continuing our work with Uefa, building on our successful 12-year partnership.”
BeIN this month hit out angrily at media reports suggesting beIN Sports channels are being blacked out in the Mena region as a consequence of the Saudi Arabia-led economic blockade of Qatar launched on June 5.
In an exclusive interview with SportBusiness International, the company also dismissed concerns about its future existence, both in its core market of Mena and other territories in which it operates around the world.