beIN Sports shows Brazil World Cup
Pay-TV broadcaster will show all 64 matches from the 2014 tournament, which kicks off on June 12
THE FRENCH arm of pay-TV broadcaster beIN Sports will televise the entire World Cup, which kicks off in Brazil on June 12.
The channel, a subsidiary of Al Jazeera, will air all 64 games live in France, with 36 exclusive matches, across its three channels, as well as on digital media.
It will also air several magazine shows throughout the tournament, including a daily ‘light’ programme, the channel revealed in a statement.
“This global sporting event… creates an unparalleled popular enthusiasm” said Yousef Al- Obaidly, vice-president of beIN Media Group and chief operating officer of beIN Sports France.
It has not been revealed how much beIN Sports paid for the rights, but it has been estimated at €50m.
The deal will help French national broadcaster TF1 recoup part of the €130m it forked out in 2005 for exclusive rights to this year’s tournament in Brazil.
TF1 has already enjoyed a boost from the World Cup. Its shares jumped 5% after the French national side qualified for the competition - and it is expected the finals will bring a further revenue boost.
beIN Sports was created after Al Jazeera Sports was rebranded in January this year.
