Serie A: "International TV rights will go down. Our biggest problem is beIN" (L. De Siervo)

"It (international TV rights) will definitely go down. A decent amount. Our biggest problem is beIN (Media Group). beIN was worth 50% of our package (2018-2021) and they've decided not to take part in our auction. And they've prohibited all of their friends and intermediaries to make offers for their countries. So we've been ostracized by beIN, and that makes it very complicated and difficult for us," said Luigi De Siervo, CEO of the Lega Serie A, to the Associated Press on 22/03/2021.

Relations between the Italian League and the Qatari pay-TV group beIN Media Group, which broadcasts the Serie A TIM in 35 countries (see below), have become strained during the current rights cycle (2018-2021) due to the hosting of the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia, which has been accused of supporting the pirate broadcaster beoutQ. Notably, beIN had initiated a six-day TV blackout of the Italian league when it resumed behind closed doors in June 2020 (see "further reading" articles).

The international rights to Serie A TIM are currently held by the British agency IMG and the public broadcasting…