Qatar’s beIN Media Group has confirmed that it has reached agreements with Emirati telecom operators Du and Etisalat that will enable viewers in the UAE to watch all 64 matches of the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup live on beIN Sports channels.
The World Cup begins on June 14 and continues until July 15.
In a press release, beIN Media Group said Du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company) has announced the launch of four beIN Sports Max channels for the World Cup. beIN exclusively holds the rights to the FIFA World Cup in the Mena region, and Du and beIN have reached an agreement to offer Du customers live, and in full HD, 64 matches across four beIN Sports Max channels.
beIN Media Group explained that the contract between beIN with Du expired on May 31. beIN granted Du 24 hours to complete the necessary procedures for renewing the contract. As soon as beIN announced cutting the service to Du, the latter moved quickly to renew the contract with beIN Group and completed the necessary procedures for the renewal.
Tom Keaveny, managing director of beIN Mena, said: “We are thrilled to extend our long-term relationship with Du to provide viewers with access to the beIN FIFA World Cup. Viewers will have access to all 64 matches across four dedicated channels, bringing the best action in the world straight to their TVs, mobiles and tablets. This two-year deal kicks off a hugely exciting period for sports fans around the world and we’re delighted to be at the centre of the action.”
Fahad al-Hassawi, deputy CEO - Telco services, Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, added: “We are delighted to offer this incredible event to our valued customers and add life to life by screening all 64 football matches across our dedicated beIN Sports channels.”
beIN channels resumed regular broadcasting following the signing of the agreement.
Meanwhile, beIN Media Group also confirmed that it has reached an agreement with Etisalat to broadcast the FIFA World Cup on the eLife platform. The new two-year agreement with Etisalat grants eLife the rights to rebroadcast all four beIN Sports Max HD channels, as well as the beIN 4K channel, to its entire IPTV customer in the UAE.
Keaveny stressed that they were “thrilled to extend the long-term relationship with Etisalat to provide viewers with access to the beIN FIFA World Cup”.
beIN is also offering, for the first time in the UAE, access to the FIFA World Cup in ultra-high definition.
