Foxtel combats Optus with 3 new beIN SPORTS HD channels

Foxtel has today announced a new deal with the beIN Media Group that will see the launch of three beIN SPORTS High Definition channels in May, giving Football fans full access to the upcoming UEFA Euro 2016 Football Tournament.

The deal comes at a time when Foxtel is facing increased competition for Football rights after telco Optus recently secured rights for the EPL and World Cup Tournaments.

Previously, Foxtel subscribers had to pay an additional $19.95 to access just one BeIn SD channel, under the new deal all Foxtel Sports subscribers will receive the 3 new HD channels at no additional cost.

Foxtel has received intense criticism from football fans since losing the rights to the EPL last year.

Optus recently confirmed it will launch multiple football channels on the Fetch TV platform to provide coverage of the EPL competition, however questions remain regarding pricing and the picture quality of the broadcast which will be delivered via internet streaming.

This new deal means Australian Football fans will now have the choice of accessing Foxtel’s 12 HD Sports channels for a minimum cost of $50, which includes access to the local A-League competition plus now a number of European leagues, or switch to Fetch TV for access to the EPL, plus the option of one BeIn channel.

Foxtel will launch the three HD beIN SPORTS channels (beIN SPORTS 1, 2 and 3) on Sunday May 15, 2016 ahead of the 2016 UEFA Europa League Final on Thursday May 19 and the 2016 UEFA Champions League Final on Sunday May 29, which will both screen LIVE.

The new channels are an addition to the Foxtel Sports pack and will boost that pack’s offering from nine to 12 dedicated sports channels including FOX SPORTS 1-5, FOX FOOTY, ESPN 1,2, Eurosport and beIN SPORTS 1,2,3.

In 2017 Fox Sports will launch a dedicated NRL HD channel, however this will come at the loss of one of the existing Fox Sports channels.

beIN SPORTS will broadcast all 51 games of the UEFA EURO 2016 tournament LIVE and in HD from Saturday, June 11th.

Additionally, Foxtel subscribers will receive unprecedented coverage on beIN SPORTS of the best European Football including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga.

South American football including the South American FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Brazilian Serie A and Sao Paulo Championship are also featured.

beIN SPORTS is also home of European Rugby Union with the European Rugby Champions Cup, and the Six Nations tournament LIVE and in HD as well as selected games from The Wallabies and All Black Spring Tour in November, featuring games against Wales, Scotland and Ireland LIVE and in HD.

The addition of the beIN channels will significantly increase live sport available to subscribers.

The new sports channels^ will also be available to stream via Foxtel Go and Foxtel Play, giving sports subscribers the flexibility to enjoy the service anytime, anywhere.

Richard Freudenstein, outgoing Foxtel Chief Executive said: “The addition of these new dedicated sports channels from our partners at beIN SPORTS is a huge win for sports fans who subscribe to Foxtel, greatly increasing the value of a subscription. The channels will be compulsory viewing for fans of international football and rugby and complement the already great line-up of sports channels on Foxtel. There is no doubt Foxtel is the home of LIVE sport in Australia.”

Yousef Al-Obaidly, Deputy CEO of beIN Media Group, said, “The new Australian beIN SPORTS
channels are a key component of our Asia Pacific presence and we are pleased to extend our
relationship with Foxtel to bring these high quality channels in HD to the market leading Foxtel platform.”

The new channels will replace the existing beIN SPORTS channel on Foxtel, which has been available as a premium SD buy-through channel since beIN acquired Setanta Sports Australia in 2014. Current beIN SPORTS subscribers who have the Foxtel Sports Pack will now receive the three new channels at no additional cost to their Foxtel Sports Pack subscription.

Upcoming highlights include:
– 2016 UEFA Europa League Final, 19 May, LIVE & Exclusive on beIN SPORTS
– 2016 UEFA Champions League Final, 29 May, LIVE on beIN SPORTS
– UEFA Euro 2016, 11 June to 11 July, The only place to see all 51 games LIVE is on beIN SPORTS
– Serie A, Every game LIVE on beIN SPORTS
– La Liga, Every game LIVE & Exclusive on beIN SPORTS
– Bundesliga, Every game LIVE & Exclusive on beIN SPORTS
– Ligue 1, 6 games per round LIVE & Exclusive on beIN SPORTS
– Wallabies Spring Tour, November, LIVE and ad-break free during play on beIN SPORTS

*HD channels only available to customers with the Sports and HD channel packs.
^SD channels only.