beIN SPORT and beIN SPORT en Espanol launches in Canada via Ethnic Channels Group

[musimax]

I wonder how this will affect EuroWorld Sport? They barely have any content as it is and even beinsport.ca redirects to TLN's website and for a brief moment on TLN's website, the drop-down box for their channels listed beIN SPORT. There's no mention of a sale but they press release is also slim on details such as a launch date, who will carry it, how they plan to broadcast Canadian programming, even if it will be a Canadian channel (although,m one would obviously assume it's Canadian because otherwise, how would they launch this channel as it is clearly competitive with existing channels), etc. Interesting to see what comes from this.

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beIN SPORT Partners With Ethnic Channels Group For Distribution In Canada

TORONTO, Dec. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - beIN SPORT, North America's premier international sports network, and Ethnic Channels Group, the leading provider of multicultural television in Canada, today announced a strategic and exclusive partnership to launch beIN SPORT on cable and satellite across Canada.
Amidst the exploding interest in sports content, this partnership will facilitate further growth of the sports TV business in Canada.

"beIN SPORT has assembled exclusive coverage of some of the greatest international sporting events in the world. Our partnership with Ethnic Channels Group will help build a profitable business in Canada through better distribution and interactivity with consumers," said Yousef Al-Obaidly, Managing Director of beIN SPORT.

With beIN SPORT and beIN SPORT en Espanol, viewers will have access to exclusive coverage showcasing soccer stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in La Liga, Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli in Serie A, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Radamel Falcao in Ligue 1. The network also features CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying matches, Copa America, the Copa del Rey, the U.K.'s Football League, Six Nations Rugby, tennis, boxing and other international sport competitions.

"As the largest distributor of multicultural TV content in Canada, Ethnic Channels Group brings a combination of cutting edge technology and distribution expertise. Together with beIN SPORT, we share a vision to showcase premium sporting content to the Canadian audience. We will increase viewership for beIN SPORT in Canada, so this exciting network can claim their share of Canadian viewers and become the destination channel of Canadian sports fans," said Slava Levin, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ethnic Channels Group.

About beIN SPORT
beIN SPORT and beIN SPORT en Espanol are multi-platform sports destinations that bring to the passionate fan live games that can't be seen on any other channel, as well as news and analysis of the top leagues around the world. From American, European and Latin American live games to general sports news and in-depth analysis, beIN SPORT guarantees front-row access to top leagues and major sports properties on TV. For more information, please visit www.beinsport.tv for breaking news and real-time updates.

Follow beIN SPORT on Twitter @beINSportUSA, Facebook at beINSportUSA, Instagram @beinsportusa and on YouTube at beINSPORTUSA.

About Ethnic Channels Group

Ethnic Channels Group (ECG) is a Canadian based television broadcasting, distribution and communications company, specializing in multicultural television channels for the North American market.

In addition to owning and operating 100+ in-language television channels, Ethnic Channels Group distributes a number of channels under Foreign Service licenses, acting as the official distributor on the broadcaster's behalf. Ethnic Channels Group services are currently available through the following providers: Rogers Cable, Shaw Cable, Bell TV, Bell Fibe, Telus, NexTV, MTS Allstream, and Cogeco in Canada. For information about Ethnic Channels Group, visit http://www.ethnicchannels.com.

Source: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1279...tion-in-canada

[CDN Viewer]

I wonder how this will affect EuroWorld Sport? They barely have any content as it is and even beinsport.ca redirects to TLN's website

EuroWorld Sport should have shut down a long time ago, I don't understand why Rogers & MTS still carry this channel that has no actual live sports content?! It has been speculated that TLN has been in negotiations with beinSport for a while now, the fact that beinsport.ca redirects to the TLN website proves this. Also, TLN recently applied to the CRTC to launch a Spanish sports channel, this indicates that they may have been close to a deal but clearly that deal has now fallen apart. Look for this channel to be dropped by the two providers who carry it, to make room for beIN Sport.

This deal is interesting but not entirely surprising considering that Ethnic Channels is the Canadian distributor for Al Jazeera English, another channel run by Al Jazeera Media Network. It will be interesting to see if they are successful in getting Bell & Rogers to add this channel since it competes with GolTV Canada. Canadian content, as musimax mentioned, is another question mark seeing as how ECG only distributes ethnic channels, although they recently launched a Portuguese sports channel. I suspect that beIN sport will be responsible for creating some Canadian shows, probably a sports news show and some other filler stuff. Now that they have a Canadian partner, I expect beIN Sport to look at acquiring the rights to more content down the road, money is no object for the Qataris.

Aside from EuroWorld Sport, the launch of this channel may also affect GolTV Canada which used to air some of the content that beIN Sport now has the rights to. Also, the German league which is one of the few remaining properties that GolTV has may be gone soon as well- Fox acquired the rights to the Bundesliga starting in 2015. Will MLSE turn this channel into a Toronto FC channel or just shut it down and shift the content they currently air to the various sports properties that Bell & Rogers own?!

I don't understand why they are launching a Spanish version of this channel, Canada does not have a huge Spanish population like the USA does- is this really necessary?! I think a French version of beIN Sport would be more suitable for Canada.

[Donovan's Monkey]

... press release is also slim on details such as a launch date, who will carry it, how they plan to broadcast Canadian programming, even if it will be a Canadian channel (although, one would obviously assume it's Canadian because otherwise, how would they launch this channel as it is clearly competitive with existing channels), ...
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...@beINSportUSA, Facebook at beINSportUSA, Instagram @beinsportusa and on YouTube at beINSPORTUSA...

I don't understand what they're doing from this press release. Do they think they can just distribute the US channel(s) in Canada?
They have to get approved in some way -- added to the list of approved non-Canadian channels, or with a Canadian licence. Is there any evidence of one of these happening?

[InMontreal]

I don't understand what they're doing from this press release. Do they think they can just distribute the US channel(s) in Canada?
They have to get approved in some way -- added to the list of approved non-Canadian channels, or with a Canadian licence. Is there any evidence of one of these happening?

Only a small portion of people are keeping track of what Ethnic Channels Group have licenced as "operating in Canada with a foreign brand" and "importing the signal straight from the source", which sports-licenced specialty that fits the profile and can rebrand, and the pending licences. I think there was recently a licence exception at the CRTC for specialties targeting less than X subscribers.

We'll see what will happen...

[CDN Viewer]

I don't understand what they're doing from this press release.

They are going to be launching a Canadian version of beIN Sport with Ethnic Channels Group as the Canadian partner. Due to the regulatory environment in Canada there is only two ways beIN Sport can launch their channel here:

1- Apply to add beIN Sport US to the approved list
(This option is off the table because the CRTC would deny their application due to it being competitive with Canadian channels and the fact they tend to favour Canadian clones over foreign channels. )

2- Partner up with a Canadian broadcaster to launch a Canadian version of their channel

I think there was recently a licence exception at the CRTC for specialties targeting less than X subscribers.

Yes, they released a new 'exemption policy' in back in June whereby all Category B channels that have less than 200 000 subscribers can launch as exempt channels, which basically means they don't need to have a license. Ethnic Channels Group has launched many of their channels as exempt services so this is probably what they will do with beIN Sport Canada. If at some point the channel has more than 200 000 subs, they will simply apply for a formal license.

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2013/2013-292.htm

[SportsFan]

all Category B channels that have less than 200 000 subscribers can launch as exempt channels, which basically means they don't need to have a license.

Do they need CanCon if they are an exempt channel?

[CDN Viewer]

Do they need CanCon if they are an exempt channel?

Yes, they are still required to air Cancon- 15% in the first year, 25% in the second year and 35% every year thereafter. I don't think it will be that hard for beIN Sport to create some cheap Cancon.

5. In regard to Canadian content:
a) Not less than 35% of all programs broadcast in each broadcast year and in the evening broadcast period qualify as Canadian programs.
b) Notwithstanding (a) above, if the undertaking is in its first year of operation, it devotes not less than 15% of the broadcast year and of the evening broadcast period to the broadcast of Canadian programs.
c) Notwithstanding (a) above, if the undertaking is in its second year of operation, it devotes not less than 25% of the broadcast year and of the evening broadcast period to the broadcast of Canadian programs.

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2012/2012-689.htm

[CDN Viewer]

According to info posted on another forum, beIN Sport Canada will be launching in February, no details given on which providers have agreed to carry it nor on what the cost of the channel will be?! It will be interesting to see what Bell & Rogers do considering that beIN Sport competes with GolTV Canada and Sportsnet World. I think if there is high demand for this channel they may end up adding it, although I think this channel will probably cost about the same as Sportsnet World which might turn some people off?!

[musimax]

The channel is listed on the CRTC's website under the exempt list of services. Therefore, it seems as though either 1 of 2 things will happen here. 1) It will launch with very little distribution, likely on some small BDU or collection of BDUs where they will, even with a large percentage of subscribers of the BDU(s) subscribing to it, still be under the threshold of requiring a licence, or 2) it will launch in the same style as Sportsnet World where it will be a premium service and by its nature because of the cost, have less subscribers, especially in the short term. My guess is it will likely be scenario 2.

[CDN Viewer]

it will launch in the same style as Sportsnet World where it will be a premium service and by its nature because of the cost, have less subscribers, especially in the short term. My guess is it will likely be scenario 2.

You are correct, MTS is the first BDU to pick up the is channel, it was added yesterday and just as I predicted it will be selling at a premium- $20./month. In addition to the soccer matches, they will also apparently be airing auto racing, rubgy, volleyball and cycling. This channel has been structured in the same fashion as Sportnet World, a premium sports service selling at a premium price, clearly aimed at hardcore sports fanatics and not casual fans. This sucks for Spanish and Italian league fans who have been waiting 2 years for this channel to launch to be able to watch some matches, only to find out now that it has finally launched that they will be paying through the nose in order to watch these games.

In the short term, I think they need some marquee event in order to attract subscribers attention and force Bell & Rogers to carry this channel as they think those two will be their biggest stumbling blocks. One possibility is UEFA Champions League, the next contract cycle is coming up for bidding, if they could snap up those rights then that would elevate the attraction of this channel.

On another note, the ECG website has no schedule posted for this channel and the only link they provide is for the US channel.

http://www.mts.ca/mts/personal/tv/wi...+-+ultimate+tv

[musimax]

What about the Spanish channel? Any word on whether that has launched?

[TOM_T]

At $19.95 it seems expensive. How much is Sportsnet World? if its cheaper then beIN Sports will have problems.

My guess is if this channel become popular I would be surprised if Rogers turns around and lowers the price of Sportsnet World to below $10 or even make it a regular sports channel like Sportsnet on the system?

[SportsFan]

One possibility is UEFA Champions League, the next contract cycle is coming up for bidding, if they could snap up those rights then that would elevate the attraction of this channel.

Not going to happen. Fox renewed their U.S. rights until 2018 and I don't see Bein doing anything especially for Canada. More likely, although still a long shot, they will bid on Premier League rights for 2016-17.

[CDN Viewer]

Not going to happen. Fox renewed their U.S. rights until 2018 and I don't see Bein doing anything especially for Canada.

What does Fox have to do with anything, Champions League rights are awarded individually for each country not for the entire continent?! beIN wants to launch a channel here and they need content to fill that channel so why would they not acquire the rights to some league or event for Canada only?!

More than likely Rogers has the first right of renewal and unless UEFA is interested in a bidding war they will award the rights to Rogers again.

[SportsFan]

More than likely Rogers has the first right of renewal ...

They don't.

What does Fox have to do with anything, Champions League rights are awarded individually for each country not for the entire continent?! beIN wants to launch a channel here and they need content to fill that channel so why would they not acquire the rights to some league or event for Canada only?!

Because Canada is an afterthought for beIN. They are not going to make a serious bid for the Champions League in Canada if they don't have US rights. I expect Sportsnet to renew and probably share some with TSN.

[SportsFan]

why have they been aggressively trying to launch a channel here for the past 2 years?!

If that was aggressive how long would it take beIN if launching in Canada wasn't important to them?

We will see when the UEFA Champions League rights deal is announced.

[TOM_T]

Both Rogers & Bell have added BEIN Sports.

[CDN Viewer]

Bell TV has added the HD feed only while Rogers appears to have only added the SD feed?!

Now that the Big 2 have added this channel, I think the rest will follow suit and add it as well. I wonder what this means for the future of GolTV Canada- will they keep it going or decide to shut it down at some point?!

[CDN Viewer]

A couple of updates on this service for those interested:

1- EastLink & Videotron have added beIN Sport to their lineup since my last post. This leaves Cogeco, Shaw & Telus as the remaining big providers that have not added it.

2- Ethnic Channels Group have applied to bring in beIN Sport Espanol from the USA, instead of launching their own version of it. Seeing as this is a Spanish language sports channel, I don't see anyone raising a fuss about this application?! I have noticed that most of the Spanish league matches they air in the US are aired on the Spanish channel which means La Liga fans might be forced to subscribe to beIN Sports Espanol in order to watch their favourite teams.

[Donovan's Monkey]

... I wonder what this means for the future of GolTV Canada- will they keep it going or decide to shut it down at some point?!

I don't see it causing any change for GolTV Canada. It's owned by MLSE who use it for Toronto FC game replays, pre and post game shows, press conferences, along with some non-TFC soccer programming. Although last I heard, Rogers still did not carry it in HD, which makes you wonder about the channel's future since Rogers owns 37.5% of MLSE. With two of the three MLSE channels already not carrying any live TFC or Raptor games, and presumably LeafsTV soon to be in a similar situation, it would seem reasonable to guess that eventually there could be some consolidation down to just one or maybe two channels.