beIN SPORTS Agrees Broadcast Rights Deal for South American Football Tournaments
Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana to be broadcast around the world on beIN SPORTS from 2019
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), FC Diez and beIN MEDIA GROUP have today announced a multi-year media rights agreement that will see beIN SPORTS exclusively broadcast the Copa Libertadores football tournament across the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and 24 territories in the Middle East and North Africa.
South America’s premier club football tournament will be shown on beIN SPORTS in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand for the first time, and strengthens the company’s expanding portfolio of major sports rights.
beIN MEDIA GROUP has also acquired the rights to the second most important South American club football tournament, the Copa Sudamericana. Both tournaments take place in the calendar year with multiple kick-off time slots and minimal crossover, allowing beIN SPORTS to broadcast live all 262 matches each year from both competitions across linear and digital channels.
The four-year deal, from 2019 to 2022, will allow beIN SPORTS to play its part in making the historic tournament a truly global spectacle.
Martin Aurenche, Vice President of Sports Content of beIN MEDIA GROUP, said: “We are delighted to have secured the rights to the Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana for the next four years across multiple territories. beIN SPORTS will broadcast these thrilling, passionate and historic tournaments, demonstrating our commitment to becoming the leading global sport and entertainment network.
“This new deal is particularly exciting for beIN SPORTS subscribers in the USA and Canada, who will be able to watch some of the future stars of global football during midweek prime time viewing hours.
“For our subscribers in the Middle East and North Africa, and Australia and New Zealand, these rights will become the centre piece of our South American football coverage.”
Jose Astigarraga, Secretary General of CONMEBOL, said: “We are pleased with the recent alliance with beIN SPORTS for the transmission of our South American football tournaments. This alliance will ensure that south American football lovers around the world can live the passion of our tournaments.”
The deal was brokered by FC Diez Media, a joint venture between Perform and IMG, set up to advise CONMEBOL on their commercial rights for club competitions.