Foxtel adds beIN channels to sports package

Australian pay-television operator Foxtel has struck a carriage deal with beIN Media Group to add three beIN Sports channels to its sports package.

Existing subscribers to Foxtel’s sports package and the beIN Sports standard-definition A$20 (€13.50/$15.30) per month channel on Foxtel will no longer have to pay extra for the beIN coverage. BeIN Media Group acquired Setanta Sports Australia in October 2014.

The high-definition beIN Sports 1, 2 and 3 channels, which will replace the standard-definition channel, will launch on May 15 ahead of football’s Uefa Europa League final on May 19 and Uefa Champions League final on May 29. The channels will also show live coverage of the Uefa Euro 2016 national team tournament.

The deal increases the number of channels available through Foxtel’s sports package from nine to 12.

Last November, Foxtel lost rights to football’s English Premier League to telco Optus from the start of the 2016-17 season.