Bundesliga: beIN Sports has not renewed its TV rights in the MENA region due to piracy

The Qatari pay-TV group beIN Media Group has not renewed its broadcasting rights for the Bundesliga, in the MENA zone, for the 2020-21 season which started on 18/09/2020.

"Our business plan is clear. We will only bid for rights at levels that make economic sense and have a value proposition. In the Middle East & North Africa - as we have warned for years - piracy has crippled the market so we have made the decision not to renew with Bundesliga there. However, Bundesliga is - and remains - a fantastic partner of ours and we continue to promote German football in markets all over the world," said Richard Verow, chief sports officer at beIN Media Group, on 21/09/2020.

beIN Media Group previously held these rights over the 2015-2020 cycle for an estimated $250m (€222m), or $50m (€44m) per season, according to the Financial Times.

"The Bundesliga has not reached commercial terms with beIN and therefore not renewed. The growth and popularity of the Bundesliga in the region means we are in active discussion with interested parties to bring our football to serve our millions of fans…