Saudi Arabia promises 11 channels of sport
June 19, 2017
By Chris Forrester
Saudi Arabia is looking to create a viable challenger to Qatar-based beIN Sports. Saudi Arabia’s chairman of the board of directors of Saudi media, Muflih Al Haftaa, stated that one channel would be launched next week in order to promote the network’s platform. “With the start of the new [football] season, there will be five more channels, the number will gradually increase to become 11.”
Local reports say that the first channel will launch on Arabsat “next week”, and would be free to air.
Bahrain’s Gulf News says Saudi Arabia is planning on cooperation with the major Arab sports alliances to end Qatari’s monopoly on broadcasting international sports competitions, including the football Champions League and the FIFA World Cup (2018-2022) competitions via its beIN sports channels.