May 30 – BeIN Sports will broadcast the Women’s World Cup after striking a deal with FIFA to air the tournament in more than 30 countries across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.
This iteration of the Women’s World Cup is expected to be the biggest in terms of profile and commercial opportunity to date. Hosts France kick off the tournament next Friday against South Korea in the French capital.
“The FIFA Women’s World Cup is the most anticipated tournament in world sport this year and I’m delighted to announce that beIN subscribers in +30 countries across Asia and the Middle East & North Africa will get to watch some of the best athletes on the planet come together to compete for their country this summer,” said CEO of beIN Media Group Yousef Al-Obaidly.
In Asia, BeIN has the broadcasting rights in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor Leste. In the MENA region, BeIN will cover the competition in Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirate and Yemen.
The package also covers Saudi Arabia, but with the geopolitical blockade of Qatar by a Saudi-led gulf block relations between the two countries have hit a low and BeIN has not been awarded a license to broadcast – instead the Saudis unashamedly pirate BeIN rights and production signals on to the BeoutQ channel that is widely distributed in the country. Whether the Saudis choose to pirate the Women’s World Cup given their record on gender equality will be an interesting aside.
BeIN subscribers will be able to watch live matches and highlights via BeIN’s linear and digital platforms, including its over-the-top service, BeIN Connect.
The Qatar-based broadcaster will also launch a new global project alongside its Women’s World Cup coverage. ‘beINSPIRED’ aims to encourage more girls and women in it broadcast footprint to become involved in sport.
“On the eve of this outstanding tournament, we are also launching beINSPIRED, which is our stated ambition as a global broadcaster to inspire the next generation to participate in sport, by giving a global platform to events and talent that haven’t, historically, been given the exposure they deserve,” said Al-Obaidly.
The Women’s World Cup will be the first beINSPIRED tournament aired on beIN SPORTS with the new beINSPIRED logo promoted on screens during all matches. beIN has increased its women’s sports output, broadcasting thousands of hours of women’s sport which will all now be promoted under the beINSPIRED umbrella, including coverage this summer of Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
As part of the project, beIN is also looking to introduce inspiring on-air talent, enter partnerships with rights-holders and other brands, and create more digital content.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734875679labto1734875679ofdlr1734875679owedi1734875679sni@o1734875679fni1734875679