Eutelsat Signs New Al Jazeera Deal
By Mark Holmes | May 29, 2012
[Satellite TODAY 05-29-12] Eutelsat has signed a deal with Al Jazeera Networks to broadcast two new sports channels in France. Eutelsat will broadcast beIN SPORT 1 and beIN SPORT 2. beIN SPORT 1 will launch in early June and beIN SPORT 2 will launch later this summer.
The contract with Eutelsat follows beIN Sport’s acquisition of LFP Ligue (France’s Professional Football League) and UEFA Champions League rights and many other premium sports for the French market.
“The launch of these new TV ventures also testifies to the dynamic of the satellite broadcasting market that continues to welcome new players and programming concepts in order to deliver viewers premium content and the finest image quality. Eutelsat is delighted with this agreement to pursue our relationship with Al Jazeera, a vibrant and go-ahead international broadcasting group,” Eutelsat CEO Michel de Rosen said in a statement.