OSN dropping sports in MENA region
February 12, 2019
By Chris Forrester
Dubai-based pay-TV operator OSN is cutting back dramatically on its sports coverage.
MENA tech mag BroadcastPro.ME reports that OSN’s current portfolio of sporting event rights will come to an end on March 31st, and viewers will be left with just cricket.
OSN’s new CEO Patrick Tillieux said the changes would allow for more movies to be screened, and for more content skewed towards female viewers. He also promises more frequent ‘pop up’ channels, and a “refresh” of its overall entertainment experience.
Tillieux is the fourth recent CEO to attempt to rescue OSN and is under considerable pressure with majority-owner KIPCO looking to exit the operation. Tillieux joined OSN last November, taking over from former Sky CFO Martin Stewart. Stewart took over from David Butorac in 2016.