Fledgling sports service beIN Sport has secured a new affiliate deal with Liberty Cablevision of Puerto Rico for carriage of its two networks.
beIN Sport's English- and Spanish-language networks will be available to the MSO's subscribers as part of Liberty’s basic service package on standard-definition channels 94 and 95, respectively. The networks will also be part of the cable provider’s premium HD package on channels 224 and 225. In addition to its linear TV networks, select content will be accessible on demand through the operator's website.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
The networks, which launched in mid-August and feature a bevy of top-flight soccer fare and other sports content, is carried as part of the sport and Spanish-language packages offered by the nation's top three distributors, Comcast, DirecTV and Dish Network. It counts more than 13 million Stateside subscribers.
Liberty Cablevision’s customers can now see beIN Sport’s exclusive coverage of such top soccer leagues and tournaments from Europe and South America, including matches from Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A, France’s Ligue 1, South American World Cup Qualifiers and Copa America 2015. The network is also presenting the away games for the U.S. Men’s national soccer team during the qualifying rounds of the 2014 World Cup, including the Oct. 12 contest against Antigua and Barbuda. Should Sam's Army advance to the final hexagonal round of CONCACAF qualifying for FIFA's 2014 World Cup in Brazil, beIN Sport will televise five such matches in 2013.
“beIN Sport is a new, unprecedented sports network that guarantees first row access to the electrifying stars and unmatched play of international competition with games that can’t be seen on any other channel,” said Yousef Al Obaidly, managing director of beIN Sport, in announcing the new affiliate pact. “Our original and exclusive programming is designed to let viewers ‘be in’ the game and feel they are part of the international sports community. Once they experience our network, we know Puerto Rican sports fans won’t want to miss a minute of their favorite teams and players.”
