Qatari broadcaster beIN Media Group has signed an agreement with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), covering media rights in the MENA region.
The deal will provide the firm broadcasting rights to AFC tournaments from 2022 to 2024 on the beIN Sports network broadcast to all MENA countries, with the exception of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Iraq.
Countries in which the outlet will hold exclusive rights are Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen, with non-exclusive rights in Chad, Djibouti, Mauritania, Somalia and Sudan.
AFC General Secretary, Datuk Seri Windsor John, said: “The AFC is delighted to enter into this significant partnership with beIN, who have been loyal partners of the Asian game.
“This long-term deal underlines not only the ever-growing stature of the AFC’s world class competitions but also the confidence top broadcasters have in the future of Asian football.
“MENA is home to some of the most ardent supporters of Asian football and we are pleased to be able to grow the consumption of AFC football with the hundreds of millions of passionate fans across the MENA region.”
Further specifics of the agreement will see beIN Sports exclusively broadcast AFC competitions from 2025-2028 and 2029-2032 in 17 countries, with non-exclusive rights in Chad, Djibouti, Iran, Mauritania, Somalia and Sudan.
Coverage will be distributed across beIN Sport’s subscription packages over four channels, with concurrent viewing of games and in-studio commentary and analysis.
The agreement is beIN’ls latest MENA-focused agreement, following a partnership with the German Bundesliga secured this August, covering all 24 countries of the region for the next three years.
Group CEO of beIN Media Group, Yousef Al-Obaidly, added: “We are delighted to enter this long-term partnership with the Asian Football Confederation up to 2032. It is a hugely significant deal for beIN and our business, showing our complete commitment to premium rights and to the long-term.
“The AFC rights add to our unparalleled suite of major sports and entertainment rights within our portfolio over the coming decade. This new deal continues to firmly establish beIN as the home of sport and entertainment in MENA – both now and for years to come. We look forward to being a trusted partner of Asian football across the region.”