Formula 1 and BeIN Sports agree ten-year deal to exclusively broadcast F1 across MENA & Turkey
February 29, 2024
Formula 1 has announced a ten-year agreement with beIN Sports to exclusively broadcast F1 in the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and Turkey.
The multi-year deal, which runs through 2033, will cover 25 territories across MENA and Turkey and grants beIN rights to broadcast every F1 race weekend. This includes all practice sessions, F1 Sprint events and Grands Prix across beIN SPORTS channels and its live-streaming app TOD.
A key pillar of this deal is the formation of a regional content production partnership that will see beIN and Formula 1 work closely together to develop localised content for the MENA region, across different formats and platforms to better engage and grow the F1 fanbase.
Since the first Bahrain Grand Prix twenty years ago, the Middle East has established itself as a hub for Formula 1. Over half a million fans in total attended the Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix last year and the region boasts one of the youngest and most diverse fanbases in the sport, with a high demographic of female followers and fans under the age of 35.
More than 50% of new fans in MENA started following the sport in the last four years. This partnership reflects the growing appetite for Formula 1 amongst a digitally savvy and connected fanbase and further solidifies beIN’s position as one of the leading broadcasters in the sport, following the group’s deal to secure the rights to broadcast F1 in ten territories across Asia last year.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said:
“Since Formula 1 first raced in Bahrain in 2004, we have seen the growth of a passionate fanbase in the Middle East who love to go racing. With beIN, we have found a partner who elevate the broadcast experience and create best-in-class programming that delivers against our mission to showcase the drama and spectacle of Formula 1 for our fans at home.”
Ian Holmes, Director of Media Rights and Content Creation at Formula 1, said: “With four races and a rapidly growing fanbase, demand for Formula 1 in the Middle East and Turkey is at an all time high. In recent years, beIN has established itself as one of the leading sports broadcasters in the world, offering fans unparalleled coverage across its sports portfolio. We look forward to working with them, utilising their extensive production capabilities in Doha, to continue to elevate F1’s broadcast programming and create tailor-made content that engages fans in the region and encapsulates the drama and excitement of Formula 1.”
Yousef Al-Obaidly, CEO of beIN MEDIA GROUP said: “We are delighted to see the return of Formula 1 live and exclusively on beIN across 25 countries spanning the MENA region and Türkiye. beIN continues to be the undisputed home of sport across MENA and Türkiye, with Formula 1 the centerpiece of our incredible portfolio. We look forward to creating thrilling Formula 1 experiences for millions of fans and growing a new generation of followers through exciting regional content and innovative broadcasting. This deal is also testament to the fantastic long-term success and continued ambitions of beIN Media Group as one of the leading sports, entertainment, and media groups in the world.”
