Sports and entertainment group beIN Media Group, owner of beIN Sports and Miramax, has appointed Yousef Al-Obaidly to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the previous CEO & Chairman, will remain in the position of Chairman of the group.

Over many years at beIN Media Group, Al-Obaidly has held a number of senior leadership positions, most recently in the role of Deputy CEO. In this position he has played a key role alongside Nasser Al-Khelaifi in rapidly growing beIN Media Group to become the pre-eminent sports and entertainment broadcaster in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). In recent years Al-Obaidly has also led beIN’s overseas expansion, overseeing the launch of beIN Sports in France, the Americas and in the Asia-Pacific region.

Al-Obaidly has also been pivotal in establishing close relationships with other global broadcasters to develop innovative broadcast and production partnerships. For example, in August 2018, he spearheaded a new agreement with BBC Studios that will see the two organisations collaborate in the co-development, co-production and distribution of content in Qatar, the Middle East and Turkey.

Al-Obaidly has also taken a leadership role in the broadcast industry’s ongoing fight against illegal piracy, working closely with other broadcasters, regulators and sports rights holders to build an international coalition to combat the increasing global theft of intellectual property, most particularly beoutQ’s plague of piracy that is ongoing in Saudi Arabia and spreading elsewhere.

“I am thrilled to announce Yousef’s appointment as CEO of beIN Media Group,” saidd Al-Khelaifi. “Yousef’s experience and drive are instrumental to our organisation and he has been a trusted advisor to me for many years. beIN Media Group has grown rapidly thanks to his entrepreneurial spirit and keen eye for innovation. Yousef has also been a strong leadership figure in our drive to stamp out illegal piracy across the Middle East – something he will continue to champion as CEO. I am confident that in his new position Yousef will help us achieve our growth ambitions and ensure the success of our operations for many years to come.”

“It is a great honour to be given the opportunity to contribute to our organisation’s success in this new capacity,” added Al-Obaidly. ”Nasser’s guidance and leadership have been integral to shaping beIN Media Group as a global sports and entertainment powerhouse. We will continue to work together to continue this momentum and take the company forwards at a time of great change and opportunity within the industry.”

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