Saudi Arabia: to launch own sports channel to compete with beIN Sports

Saudi Arabia has planned to launch a free sports channel - PBS Sports - to end the monopoly of the Qatari sports group beIN Media Group and its pay-TV beIN Sports, according to local media on 19/06/2017. The channel will be launched in 10 Arab countries: Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Libya, Bahrain, and Oman, according to the German agency DPA.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Yemen announced the breakdown of their diplomatic relations with Qatar on 05/06/2017. These countries accuse Qatar of destabilising the region and supporting "terrorist groups". Saudi Arabia closed the local offices of beIN Media Group on 05/06/2017, and signals from the beIN Sports channels have been cut off in the United Arab Emirates since the breakdown of diplomatic relations.

"One channel will be launched initially as a promotional platform for the network, and with the beginning of the new season there will be 5 channels which will gradually increase to become 11 channels," said Muflih al-Hafatah, chairman of Saudi Media City, on…