Saudi-backed TV sports pirates ‘exposed’ by report
The Premier League, Fifa and Uefa claim to have new proof that the biggest piracy operation in sporting history is the work of a Saudi Arabia-backed satellite provider.
A report conducted by brand protection firm Markmonitor has concluded “without question” that the rogue network named beoutq is operating with signals transmitted by Saudi-based Arabsat, a satellite communications network.
Beoutq, which can be picked up around the world, has been stealing and repackaging broadcasts from Qatari-based bein Sports for two years. Arabsat had denied the pirated broadcasts were being carried by its satellites, but broadcaster bein Sports claims it has been left billions of pounds out of pockets by the operation.
The publication of a 158-page report which documents specific Arabsat frequencies used to broadcast beoutq channels is the latest bid by governing bodies to knock beoutq off the air. In the UK, the beoutq box’s IPTV function can even grant access to all Sky Sports and BT Sport, the report claims.
“The report confirms without question that beoutq’s pirate broadcasts have been transmitted using satellite infrastructure owned and operated by Arabsat,” said a joint statement by football’s governing bodies and the major European leagues.
The Daily Telegraph disclosed last month how up to £650million of rights packages for UK sports – the majority of which ends up in Premier League clubs’ pockets – could eventually be at “significant risk”. Yousef Al-obaidly, CEO of bein, said: “This is – without doubt – one of the largest and most damaging heists in corporate history.”
Should the piracy continue, bein Sports, which has lost revenue across the Middle East and Africa, is almost certain to reduce its offer for three-year rights packages for UK sport. As one of the biggest overseas rights-holders, a renegotiation could have a devastating impact on overall market values. The Premier League has now set up an anti-piracy unit in Singapore and has won renewed powers from the High Court to immediately delete illegal streams. However, all attempts to stop beoutq have fallen flat. Legal threats have fallen on deaf ears and Saudi Arabia has even ignored warnings that Fifa could eventually ban the nation from competing at the World Cup.
Footballing bodies believe the Middle East nation has so far turned a blind eye to so-called “widespread and flagrant” breaches because of its rift with Qatar, where bein Sports hold the commercial rights for the Middle East. Arabsat was contacted for comment.