TV rights: StarTimes threatened with liquidation (non-payment to beIN for Ligue 1 rights in Africa)

StarTimes, a Chinese-owned audiovisual group established in Africa, is facing the threat of compulsory liquidation following the non-payment of its installments for the broadcasting rights, in sub-Saharan Africa (in English language) to Ligue 1, to the Qatari group of pay-TV beIN Media Group, according to information from Global Data, a UK analysis and consulting firm, on 18/02/2021.

The group has not settled its payments since the first due date, initially scheduled for July 2018, and owes nearly $11m with interest included (€9.1m) to beIN Media Group. After the case was brought before the Hong Kong courts (where Century Sun, the parent company of StarTimes, is located), a new payment schedule had been put in place from October 2019, but this was also not honored by StarTimes. beIN Media Group has taken the decision to seek a winding up order against StarTimes, reported Global Data.

Other companies also face payment delays from StarTimes, without this having resulted in legal action for the moment, according to Global Data. Despite everything, StarTimes has continued its policy of…