Al-Jazeera Networks has selected two Eutelsat satellites to broadcast its new sports channels in France.
Al jazeera’s beIN Sport 1 is ready for launch on Eutelsat on June 1, followed by beIN Sport 2 this summer.
The two channels will be available on the Hot Bird neighbourhood at 13 degrees East and on the Eutelsat 5 West A satellite at 5 degrees West.
beIN Sport 1 is on track for launch on June 1 and will show premium coverage of the UEFA Euro 2012 championship from June 8. Its sister channel, beIN Sport 2, will follow this summer.
The contract with Eutelsat follows beIN Sport’s acquisition of LFP Ligue (France’s Professional Football League) and UEFA Champions League rights and many other premium sports for the French market.
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 these new 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. ”