beIN MEDIA GROUP Acquirers Full Ownership of Channels in Asia
beIN MEDIA GROUP Acquires Full Ownership of channels in Asia From JV Partner MP & SILVA.
DOHA, September 23, 2015 – beIN MEDIA GROUP LLC (“beIN MEDIA GROUP”) announced today that it has acquired the remaining 50% of the shares held by MP & Silva of its beIN SPORTS channels in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
beIN MEDIA GROUP had entered into a 50/50 joint venture with MP & Silva in 2013 but effective today will assume full control of all of its channels in the Asian market.
Full control of these channels will allow beIN MEDIA GROUP to fully implement its market strategy in the region in terms of both production, expanded programming and content. beIN’s recently acquired exclusive TV rights to La Liga, Spain’s top flight soccer league will now be available in-country on its fully acquired channels in Asia.
Commenting on the news, Nasser Al Khelaifi, Chairman and CEO of beIN MEDIA GROUP, said: “Our priority is to continue expanding our reach in Asia. Our latest Australian acquisition has been very successful. Our intention is to continue in building a solid network of countries in the Asia-Pacific region and deliver world-class content and stellar sports programming in markets with high growth potential.”
Said Marco Auletta, CEO of MP & Silva: “We are very proud of what we have achieved. This JV has shown the unique capability and expertise of MP & Silva in pioneering a new way of media rights distribution in Southeast Asian markets. It has successfully created more competition in the region for the benefit of both rights holders and fans.”
About beIN MEDIA GROUP:
beIN MEDIA GROUP LLC, incorporated in January 2014, became the official owner of the global sports network, beIN SPORTS. beIN SPORTS as a brand was first launched in June 2012 in France. On December 31 2013 Al Jazeera Sport was officially spun off from the Al Jazeera Media Network to become beIN SPORTS. Today beIN SPORTS has 36 channels worldwide and broadcasts across the Middle
East, North Africa, Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. For more information on beIN MEDIA GROUP, please contact: Jean Martial Ribes (jmribes@ikon-communication.com) or visit
www.beinmediagroup.com/mediaoffice
About MP & Silva:
MP & Silva is a leading international media company that owns, manages and distributes television and media rights to some of the most prestigious sports events around the world. With an annual turnover in excess of USD 720 million, MP & Silva’s portfolio includes the FIFA World Cup 2018 & 2022, UEFA EURO 2016, Italian Serie A TIM, English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, French Ligue 1, the Emirates FA Cup, Copa America 2015, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana & Copa do Brazil, Brazilian national league (Brasileirão), Arsenal Football Club, the AC Milan Channel, French Open at Roland Garros, eight ATP World Tour tennis tournaments, EHF Handball Champions League, the Formula One, World Baseball Classic, the Premier 12 World Baseball Championships, National Football League, National Basketball Association, Spanish Basketball League (Liga Endesa). For more information on MP & Silva, please contact: Anne Bourgeois (anne.bourgeois@mpsilva.com) or visit www.mpsilva.com