Canal+ Group & beIN SPORTS Finalize Pact

Canal+ Group and beIN SPORTS have closed their exclusive distribution and sub-licensing deal that was announced in December of last year.

Per the agreement, Canal+ will offer all beIN SPORTS premium channels within its Canal+ offers and be the exclusive distributor of beIN SPORTS to third-party providers across all platforms in France. Further, beIN SPORTS has exclusively sublicensed its 2020 through 2024 Ligue 1 football rights to Canal+. This will enable Canal+ subscribers to enjoy two games on each match day—including 28 of the 38 top Ligue 1 games of each season—starting from the 2020-2021 season. The exclusive agreement runs for a renewable period of five years.

Canal+ and beIN SPORTS will both retain their identities, brands and editorial autonomy and will continue to respond independently to sports rights tenders.

Yousef Al-Obaidly, president of beIN SPORTS France and CEO of beIN Media Group, said: “The French sports TV market faces a fascinating few years ahead as the over-crowded market inevitably undergoes some radical change. Broadcasters with premium content who have paid proportion rights fees—supported by rational business plans—will thrive. This is precisely where beIN SPORTS is now positioned thanks to this partnership with Canal+. This partnership is a major step in our ambitious long-term growth plans for France.”

Maxime Saada, chairman of the Canal+ Group Executive Board, said: “We are delighted with the partnership with beIN SPORTS, whose amazing sport offer perfectly complements our own one. This partnership, which is great news both for our subscribers and all sports fans, will enable Canal+ to continue to broadcast Ligue 1 beyond the current season with 28 of the top 38 games of each season exclusive until 2024. We are very honored by the trust that beIN SPORTS places in us to distribute its channels in France.”