beIN MEDIA GROUP Takes Full Ownership of its JV Channels in Asia

DOHA: beIN MEDIA GROUP is taking over the remaining 50 percent of the shares held by MP & Silva of its beIN SPORTS channels in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

beIN MEDIA GROUP and MP & Silva had entered into a 50/50 joint venture in 2013. Effective today, beIN will assume full control of all of its channels in the Asian market. beIN’s recently acquired exclusive TV rights for La Liga, Spain’s soccer league, will now be available in-country on its fully acquired channels in Asia.

Nasser Al Khelaifi, the chairman and chief executive 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.”
 
Marco Auletta, the CEO of MP & Silva, added: “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 the Southeast Asian markets. It has successfully created more competition in the region for the benefit of both rights holders and fans.”