The battle between Canal+, former exclusive rights holder of the Ligue 1 football games and Al Jazeera, which now has partial broadcast rights to the games has begun. CanalSat subscribers will not be able to access Al Jazeeras new sports channels Bein Sport 1 & 2, which launches June 1. Canal+ has banned the new […]
The battle between Canal+, former exclusive rights holder of the Ligue 1 football games and Al Jazeera, which now has partial broadcast rights to the games has begun. CanalSat subscribers will not be able to access Al Jazeeras new sports channels Bein Sport 1 & 2, which launches June 1.
Canal+ has banned the new sports channels from its own CanalSat channel bouquets on IPTV and DTH satellite.
In the meantime, Al Jazeeras Bein Sport1 will be available on most IPTV platforms, as well as on two Eutelsat satellite positions. This includes cable by Numericable, IPTV providers Alice, Bouygues Telecom, Darty Box, Free, Orange, SFR and satellite DTH from BIS TV, Orange Sat, SFR Sat and Parabole Réunion. Bein Sport acquired a number of Ligue 1 football games as well as the rights to the Champions League for broadcast in France.
Until now, Canal+ had a virtual monopoly on all the football rights in France. However, it is likely to come under criticism for refusing to carry the new sports channels on the CanalSat platform.
Canal+ has also accused Al Jazeera of allegedly poaching its journalists and is seeking legal action for the same.
