Crowded room, enthusiastic footie fans, deafening chants, drink spillage — watching the Fifa World Cup isn’t everyone’s idea of a fun night out.
As most of the games will be screened from midnight in the UAE (thanks to a nine-hour time difference with Brazil) some of the most dedicated fans will probably opt to watch the action at home this year.
But you’ll have to pay for the privilege. BeIN Sports, formerly Al Jazeera Sports, holds the rights to air games in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena). It charges new subscribers about $250 (Dh920) for an annual package of channels that includes games from the upcoming tournament.
Those who acted quickly and got in before April 30 took advantage of a 20 per cent discount, but for the rest of us, if the comfort of the couch is what you’re after then get ready to shell out.
In 2009, Al Jazeera Sports paid a reported $1 billion for the rights for the sports content broadcast by Arab Radio and Television, which included the World Cup in 2010 and this year’s tournament. BeIN (Al Jazeera) has also acquired the rights to broadcast the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in the region.
“The Qatar-based broadcaster secured the rights to air the games via cable TV, satellite, terrestrial, mobile and broadband in 23 territories and countries,” says a Fifa spokesperson.
It is the first broadcast rights deal Fifa has signed for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups since it announced the two tournaments will be hosted in Russia and Qatar respectively. The territories covered by this agreement include the UAE and other Gulf countries, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. The world football body did not disclose the sum paid for the broadcast rights.
On duTV
Take control of the tournament and never miss a moment of the 2014 Fifa World Cup. The beIN Sports Fifa World Cup package is Dh440, on top of its current subscription, for five dedicated channels. Watch, rewind and rewatch all the games live or share the excitement with friends and family when it suits you by rewinding the action up to eight hours.
On Etisalat
If you already have the current beIN sports channels with Etisalat, you are still required to pay an extra one-off charge for the Fifa package of Dh450. eLife television, Etisalat’s cable service, also allows customers to watch, record and rewind the games.
The rumour
Reports were circulating claiming that German broadcaster ZDF, which jointly owns the German rights to air the tournament, plans to air games for free in the Middle East. A number of Arabic and French media outlets said the German channel had won a lawsuit against it filed by beIN or Al Jazeera, alleging that the Qatari media firm faces heavy losses due to ZDF’s move.
However, ZDF has since confirmed no such court case happened. The broadcaster denied claims it would air games over satellites that cover the Arab world operated by Eutelsat/Hot Bird or Nilesat.
Neither beIN Sports or Al Jazeera have commented on the issue so far.
The Rumours
Reports were (and still are in some circles) circulating claiming that German broadcaster ZDF, which jointly owns the German rights to air the FIFA tournament, plans to air games for free in the Middle East. A number of Arabic and French media outlets said the German channel had won a lawsuit against it filed by beIN or Al Jazeera, alleging that the Qatari media firm faces heavy losses due to ZDF’s move.
However, ZDF has since confirmed no such court case happened. The broadcaster denied claims it would air games over satellites that cover the Arab world operated by Eutelsat/Hot Bird or Nilesat.
Neither beIN Sports or Al Jazeera have commented on the issue so far.
