beIN Sports Renewed Premier League Rights
Qatari sports broadcaster beIN Sports has successfully renewed its transmission rights for the English Premier League across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This new contract not only secures beIN’s dominance in the region but also hampers the ambitions of Saudi Arabia, which has been eyeing the possibility of establishing a rival network.
Contract Details
The agreement spans three years and will be in effect from the forthcoming season until the conclusion of the 2027-2028 campaign. Financially, the pact is valued at approximately £550 million ($742.3 million), marking a 10% increase from the previous rights cycle.
“This agreement reaffirms our dedication to delivering top-notch sports content through beIN Sports, consolidating our leading market position while reflecting the Premier League’s faith in us.”
— Mohammad Al-Subaie, CEO of beIN MENA
Historical Context and Competition
Since 2013, beIN has been the exclusive media partner for the Premier League within 24 MENA nations. This alliance has proven beneficial for both entities, despite the competitive challenges posed by Saudi Arabia.
Saudi efforts to undermine beIN’s hold included a major incident of digtial piracy between 2017 and 2019, where a state-sponsored operation known as beoutQ illegally transmitted beIN’s content within the kingdom. Following this, beIN faced a ban that lasted until late 2021. This piracy controversy was emblematic of a broader diplomatic conflict between Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Although recent efforts have led to some thawing in relations, Saudi dissatisfaction regarding Qatar’s preeminence in Gulf sports media persists. During initial talks that sought to address these tensions and potentially pave the way for a Saudi acquisition of beIN, disagreements emerged about compensation related to the piracy issue and valuation of beIN’s assets, leading to stalled negotiations.
In more recent developments, Saudi Arabia has shifted strategies, planning to create an alternative to beIN through a partnership with DAZN, a global sports streaming service.
Impact of Recent Developments
The prolonged negotiations for the renewal of the Premier League deal were likely influenced by these ongoing dynamics, even though a preliminary agreement had been put in place two years prior. Ultimately, both beIN and the Premier League are expected to benefit from the deal.
beIN will continue to broadcast 380 live matches each season along with additional content like highlights and interviews, while the Premier League secures a financial boost during a time when many of its competitors are experiencing setbacks.
Economic Outlook
Overall, the value of international media rights for the Premier League has surged by 27%, fueled primarily by significant increases in contracts from markets like China, Thailand, and the United States. With new domestic agreements with networks including the BBC, Sky Sports, and TNT Sports, the league anticipates generating a staggering £12.25 billion ($16.55 billion) in broadcasting revenue over the next three years.
“We look forward to enhancing our connection with fans in this vital region through various content and promotional initiatives.”
— Paul Molnar, Chief Media Officer of the Premier League
Viewer Engagement Insights
This announcement comes shortly after the annual general meeting of Premier League clubs, where it was revealed that last season saw a decline in domestic viewer engagement. League officials are optimistic that the decrease was due to an unusual lack of competitiveness in the standings rather than a decline in overall interest in the league.
