Al Jazeera confirms English Premier League interest

Al Jazeera Sport (AJS) has confirmed that it is interested in making a bid for Premier League football rights ahead of launching its beIN Sport network in France this week.

Just months before its planned US launch, Al Jazeera hinted that it is keen to bid for the domestic TV rights to the English Premier League. “We are studying whether there is room for another sports channel there [the UK],” Nasser al-Khelaifi, director of Al Jazeera Sport, said.

AJS is already the most-watched sports network in the Middle East and North Africa. It comprises of 15 pay TV channels and two free to air channels, which are broadcast in Arabic and English.

The Qatar-based broadcaster is thought to be looking into market conditions to show English football to its home audience. The last Premier League deal cost News Corporation’s Sky and ESPN £1.782 billion (US$2.9 billion) between them.

A three year rights package for the UK – starting with the 2013-14 season – is currently up for auction. The League is offering live rights to 154 matches (split into seven packages) and a free-to-air highlights package including catch-up rights. A decision is expected to be made in June.

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