BeIN Sports announces collaboration with Prime Video for Australian market
Qatari-based international sports network BeIN Sports has recently forged a partnership with global over-the-top streaming giant Prime Video, extending its reach to Australian audiences.
The collaboration introduces BeIN Sports as a dedicated channel within the Prime Video service in Australia, marking a milestone as the first standalone live sports channel available on Prime Video in the country. The channel, priced at AU$14.99 ($9.39) per month, is an add-on to the standard Prime Video package and is already accessible on the platform.
This exclusive channel on Prime Video is set to feature BeIN’s extensive portfolio of media rights holdings in Australia. Encompassing prestigious football leagues such as the Italian Serie A, German Bundesliga, French Ligue 1 and the Scottish Premiership, among others, the package ensures a comprehensive sports viewing experience for subscribers.
“This partnership with Prime Video Channels marks a significant milestone for beIN SPORTS as we continue to enhance the sports viewing experience for fans in Australia,” said Mike Kerr, BeIN Asia Pacific Managing Director.
“Through this exciting alliance, we are not only expanding our reach but also ensuring that the sports community have unparalleled access to our premium and exclusive sports coverage.”
The announcement comes just ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) international soccer competition, for which BeIN holds the broadcasting rights in Australia.
In 2023, BeIN faced a two-month dispute with AFCON organisers, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), leading to the termination of their broadcast contract. However, in November, both parties resolved their differences, reaffirming their partnership and securing the extensive media deal worth approximately $415 million, covering over 40 countries, including Australia.
The initial cancellation of the contract was attributed to various issues, including BeIN’s requests for fee adjustments over the past two years and concerns about CAF’s inadequate response to digital piracy and illegal streaming of BeIN’s content across Africa.
