Al-Jazeera signs up Eutelsat satellites for new sports network in France

Al Jazeera has selected Eutelsat ‘s HOT BIRD satellite TV neighbourhood at 13° East and the EUTELSAT 5 West A satellite at 5° West to broadcast its beIN Sport 1 and Sport 2 channels in France. The race had been on to get beIN Sport 1 to show premium coverage of the UEFA Euro 2012 championship from 8 June 8 while sister channel, beIN Sport 2, will follow in August. The Eutelsat contract with follows beIN Sport's acquisition of rights to show the LFP Ligue, France's Professional Football League, and the UEFA Champions League as well as other premium sports for the French market. Commenting on the deal For Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat said: "The longstanding presence of two of our leading satellite TV neighbourhoods in France's media landscape will be further consolidated by the arrival of beIN SPORT's first television channels for viewers in France. The launch of thesenew TV ventures also testifies to the dynamic of the satellite broadcasting market that continues to welcome new players and programming concepts in order to deliver viewers premium content and the finest image quality. Eutelsat is delighted with this agreement to pursue our relationship with Al Jazeera, a vibrant and go-ahead international broadcasting group."