In a landmark agreement that extends its longstanding partnership with Spanish football, beIN MEDIA GROUP has secured the rights to broadcast LALIGA across 34 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions. This deal ensures that beIN SPORTS, the flagship sports channel of beIN MEDIA GROUP, will continue to be the exclusive broadcaster of LALIGA until the end of the 2027-28 season in MENA and the 2026-27 season in APAC. The renewal of this contract reinforces beIN’s position as a major player in global sports media.
Historic Partnership with LALIGA
Since acquiring the broadcast rights in MENA in 2003 and in APAC in 2015, beIN MEDIA GROUP has consistently delivered comprehensive coverage of Spain’s premier football league. This new deal extends the partnership for 16 consecutive seasons across 23 MENA markets and introduces LALIGA back to beIN’s networks in Australia and New Zealand. The agreement encompasses all 380 league games, including pivotal fixtures like the highly anticipated El Clasico matches, where football giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona face off.
Key Developments for the Upcoming Season
The upcoming season promises to be thrilling, with several key storylines capturing the attention of football enthusiasts:
- Kylian Mbappé: The superstar’s transition to Real Madrid is one of the most eagerly awaited events. Fans are keen to see how quickly Mbappé adapts to his new environment and contributes to Real Madrid’s campaign.
- Hansi Flick: FC Barcelona’s new German coach faces the challenge of instilling his tactical philosophy and influencing the club’s playing style.
- Girona: After securing a place in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their 93-year history, Girona is expected to make significant strides.
The season will also feature two El Clasico clashes, providing a spectacle of high-stakes football as Real Madrid and FC Barcelona vie for supremacy. Alongside stars like Mbappé, the league is home to other top talents including Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Martin Zubimendi.
Comprehensive Coverage Across MENA and APAC
The expanded broadcast rights cover a vast array of countries, ensuring that LALIGA remains accessible to millions of fans:
- MENA Countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen.
- APAC Countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Australia, New Zealand.
In addition, beIN MEDIA GROUP will co-share the broadcast rights in Iraq with the regional platform 1001, ensuring broad coverage and accessibility.
Combatting Audiovisual Fraud
Audiovisual fraud poses a significant threat to the integrity and growth of the sports media industry. In response, LALIGA and beIN MEDIA GROUP have embarked on joint initiatives to tackle this issue. Efforts include:
- Legal Actions: Initiatives in Morocco and Bahrain to block illegal streaming websites and dismantle unauthorized IPTV services.
- Administrative Blockades: Coordinated actions with other rights holders in Indonesia and Malaysia to address piracy.
- HORECA Channel Monitoring: Regular checks in Spain to deactivate decoders with foreign contracts used in hotels, restaurants, and cafeterias.
The Anti-Piracy teams from both organizations collaborate closely to share intelligence on piracy trends, new copyright regulations, and bulletproof hosting services that fail to process takedown requests.
Conclusion
The extension of LALIGA broadcast rights solidifies beIN MEDIA GROUP’s commitment to delivering high-quality football coverage across the MENA and APAC regions. This deal not only extends their long-term partnership with LALIGA but also enhances their ability to provide comprehensive and exclusive content to football fans in these regions. As the new season approaches, viewers can look forward to a host of exciting matches and standout performances, further enriching the football viewing experience.
