Facing a difficult situation in their six-year history as a broadcaster in the United States, beIN SPORTS is adamant that they’re not going away even though AT&T and Comcast recently dropped the channels from their TV programming.
Speaking to World Soccer Talk, beIN SPORTS’ deputy managing director for the U.S. and Canada Antonio Briceño had strong words regarding the situation that has left beIN SPORTS removed from the number one cable TV provider Comcast Xfinity and the number one satellite provider DIRECTV.
“We will not be bullied by any company,” he said. “We have 100% of support from our shareholders to continue operating in this country. beIN SPORTS is not going away.”
The challenge that beIN SPORTS faces is trying to compete in a TV industry that is largely controlled and influenced by the media giants. beIN SPORTS wants to expand its distribution of its channels so they’re available on the same tiers as NBCSN and Universo, two channels that are owned and operated by NBC Universal Media whose parent company is Comcast.
At the same time, the biggest soccer property that NBC Sports has the rights to is the Premier League, which is in direct competition with LaLiga, the Spanish league that is exclusively shown on beIN SPORTS. As unfair as that sounds, it’s therefore not surprising that Comcast is seemingly attempting to hold beIN SPORTS back and not allow it to be on the same level playing field as their own sports channels. Trying to limit the distribution of beIN SPORTS helps the business interests of Comcast, a media giant that has a monopoly in many markets across the country.
“I will tell [soccer fans] don’t drink the Kool Aid,” said Briceño. “Don’t let them tell you ‘Oh beIN [SPORTS] just wanted to raise their rates.’ If you go into the Comcast [headquarters], and I’ve done it myself, they tell you that [Comcast] is in negotiations with us. They’re not. They broke the negotiations. We are here. We are a phone call away for Comcast, DIRECTV and any other company that wants to recognize that there is value that we bring to the proposition to this country and to the fans. We’re a small and independent company, but that doesn’t mean we’re not committed to the product that we deliver.”
For soccer fans in the United States, the three biggest complaints about beIN SPORTS are that (1) their channels aren’t available in HD in many markets, (2) authentication to the additional soccer games on beIN SPORTS Connect is not available, or (3) beIN SPORTS isn’t available at all. All three of these issues are the result of the media giants limiting the availability of beIN SPORTS. Before removing beIN SPORTS entirely, Comcast only offered the channel in SD for years while their NBCSN and Universo channels were in HD.
SEE MORE: Schedule of La Liga games on US TV and streaming
Unsurprisingly, beIN SPORTS filed a complaint with the FCC in March against Comcast Xfinity. The complaint was dismissed by the FCC in August. “The case wasn’t dismissed,” clarified Briceño. “It was dismissed without prejudice. I know it might sound like a technicality but there is a difference between the two because if they would have dismissed it, it would have meant ‘what you’re saying has no grounds and we don’t believe in your argument.’ That’s not what happened. What they said was there was insufficient information presented by us for them to make a ruling one way or another, so we could actually go and refile that case in a certain period of time and present the information that they said they were missing. We’re in the process of deciding whether that’s something we want to pursue.”
When asked what soccer fans could do to protest other than making their voices heard across social media and filing complaints with their TV provider, Briceño replied, “If that’s not their preference (to call DIRECTV or Comcast and file a complaint), then show them you’re angry by switching. Go and support the guys that are supporting us like Verizon Fios, fuboTV, Spectrum, DISH and Cablevision, and show your discontent by switching to these [providers]. That’s the beauty of this country where we can choose and go to competitors.”
We posed the question to Briceño whether other cable and satellite providers could follow the same path that Comcast and AT&T have taken by removing beIN SPORTS.
“We are in negotiations with [other] companies, and I cannot guarantee whether they are going to change their tune and try to be like [Comcast and AT&T]. What I can promise you is that we will not be bullied,” he said. “And if the deal is not the deal that makes sense and [provides] the most availability to the fans, we will reject it.”
Looking to the future, Briceño said that beIN SPORTS is actively looking for more soccer TV rights to add to their portfolio in addition to the rights they already have with LaLiga, Ligue 1, Turkish Super Lig and others. “We are looking for content that is compelling. And any opportunity that makes sense to bring more soccer to America that is live and engaging, we will go after it.”
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Kurtis Stephen Kline
October 9, 2019 at 7:30 pm
La Liga is the best soccer league on the planet. DirecTv and AT&T are screwing themselves, and hurting the Customers that want to watch the most watched league match on the globe: El Clasico! I am so glad that I switched from DirecTv to DISH. The DISH Hopper system is far superior to anything Direct had to offer.
Ed
September 9, 2018 at 2:02 pm
For any Directv subscribers- I just cancelled the Sports Pack because of beIN sports. Even before I had a chance to explain why, the rep asked me if I was cancelling because of beIN sports. I was surprised because this channel is very obscure. She tried to convince me to keep it by offering a discount and a “reassurance” that Directv/ATT were working hard with beIN to renegotiate. When I declined the offer she again insisted that negotiations are ongoing and they expect to bring the channel back when negotiations are complete. I told her I would add the Sports Pack back if/when the channel is brought back but I’m not going to pay for something I don’t watch (since that’s the only channel I watch on that package now that Fox and regional don’t carry UCL).
Anyway, it was nice to hear that they are working on it. That they must be losing enough subs to that package because they don’t carry beIN that they immediately mention beIN when cancelling Sports Pack. Hopefully more Directv subs will cancel that package so it puts more pressure on them to settle with beIN.
Guillermo Estrada
September 8, 2018 at 1:52 am
Simple as pie for bein sports la liga mx teams like chiva s ends contract with univision just pick up some liga mx teams just like fox did and telemundo did before with Leon and pachuca as univision now has priority with champions and bundesliga
Eddie
September 8, 2018 at 6:02 pm
Fox sports could get chivas(Liga mx) soccer in 2019?
beOUT Q
September 11, 2018 at 7:56 am
US rights to Chivas are headed for TELEMUNDO in 2019-2020. No one else can afford the rights.
alex
September 7, 2018 at 6:38 pm
What a bunch of bs from beingsport, you are in decline and on your way out
and you know it.
La liga in direct completion with the EPL.
what’s this guy on.
it’s not even close
I wonder if he ever been in a bar when EPL matches showing, places are packed , compared to La Liga matches showing.
LaLiga too slow and pedestrian at best.
Bye Bye soon for BS and take that Ray “obnoxius’ Hudson with you and don’t let the door slam you.
Ritchie
September 7, 2018 at 6:57 pm
Way off topic: I’d LOVE to see a Ray Hudson-Martin Tyler pairing.
CCB
September 6, 2018 at 1:41 pm
Why do we soccer fans always get shafted it seems?
No more EPL channels on DTV anymore, no La Liga cause BEin wants to get greedy before they implode, oh and don’t get me started on the shifting of content to streaming only.
I live back in the woods you see, and I have crap metered satelite internet.
I CAN’T STREAM MATCHES EVERY DAY! WAKE UP CARRIERS!
NBC Sports Gold, ESPN+, it’s all useless without broadband!
ESPN doesn’t even put anything good on their channels anymore, I have to drive 20 miles into town and sit at McDonalds trying to stream an EPL match on my phone while they play a replay of women’s college lacrosse, some dumb E60 show, and LIttle League baseball or some such garbage.
I can’t take this crap anymore, just put the matches back on tv again please! I swear I could watch almost any match I wanted to 10 years ago on DTV, now “tv content” is only catered to folks who live in the city and stream everything.
joe
September 6, 2018 at 11:46 am
thanks a lot , no MotoGp and MotoAmerica during the end of the season , a H***s
Jim
September 5, 2018 at 8:09 pm
You guys are way into the tall grass. The only thing that matters is that I missed barcalona score 8 goals last weekend. I will be switching from Directv to Dish so that I can watch La Liga.
Eddie
September 5, 2018 at 1:09 pm
Will bein sports get more soccer rights?
dan
September 5, 2018 at 10:48 am
Looks the beginning of the end for Bein in the USA. Losing serie a was bad for them. La liga is a joke. Watching Barcelona and real Madrid beat up on small teams isn’t exactly exciting. Messi is definitely top three players of all time, but no way he gets the same goal totals playing in either the EPL or Serie A.
dan
September 5, 2018 at 10:49 am
The only interesting show left on bein is the locker room.
dan
September 5, 2018 at 10:57 am
What does everyone else think of la liga? do people find it exciting? I think along with the bundesliga its that most lop sided league.
JP
September 5, 2018 at 11:29 am
I’m a Seria A fan 1st, but La Liga matches are consistently the most entertaining in my opinion. Matchups between mid table clubs and even clubs battling to avoid relegation will surprise you. Often don’t expect to watch a game between likes of Real Sociedad and Eibar , but get sucked in every time.
The style of play in Bundesliga is good and the fans seems to be the best among all the big leagues, but often choose Serie A or La Liga in those time slots, will watch the prime matchups or checkin during halftime of other games etc.
Can only stomach EPL if it’s a match between any combo of the following clubs…..Chelsea, Spurs, Man City, recently Liverpool. Find the rest boring and style of play haphazard, no flow.
Prime
September 5, 2018 at 9:08 am
BeIN needs to know their role. They are a niche provider that rightfully belongs in a sports tier. They could have chosen to still be there today, then I’d be watching La Liga this weekend. I wouldn’t want the 99%+ of customers who likely never even heard of BeIN not to mention watch it to have costs past down to them if BeIN is in a basic package. Its stuff like that which is driving people to the skinny bundle offerings.
Ritchie
September 5, 2018 at 9:13 am
To me it depends on how much they are asking for as a carriage fee. There are plenty of channels on basic cable that I don’t watch and probably never will. However, I’m pretty sure I pay $.15 a month for them. How much is bein sports really asking cable companies and customers to put out for their service?
Prime
September 5, 2018 at 10:12 am
The problem with that is if more channels in a sports tier demand to be in the regular package, then more people will drop the sports package once they can get the channel they want in a regular package. That loss of revenue has to be made up somehow.
Sure, I’ll be fine paying $x for BeIN. I already do by buying the sports package. I wish I still had that option.
Ritchie
September 5, 2018 at 12:46 pm
I consider that more of a negotiating stance than a hard fact. Bein could counter by saying that it’s unfair for them to be placed on a $10 sports pack when they by themselves are only charging 50 cents for carriage.
What they want to charge for the new rate is a big part of this, to me.
JP
September 5, 2018 at 10:55 am
A bit disingenuous if you compare to other sports channels that are on basic packages.
CBS Sports Network: Low level college football, radio simulcasts, and obscure sports no one watches (Moto X, etc). Is that more or less niche than international soccer, tennis, and obscure sports no one watches?
NBCSN: EPL, NHL, and Formula 1. EPL is higher profile than La Liga, but still a niche, as is the NHL (I’m a fan, but stating facts).
NFL/NHL/MLB/NBA networks are often on basic tiers too. They show very few live games and are heavy on talk shows, vintage highlights, etc. Niche.
If all those were treated like beIN you’d have a better case.
HKM
September 5, 2018 at 1:05 pm
The issue is leverage the content companies have. beIN only has itself.
When a cable company gets into a dispute about NBCSN, parent company NBC Universal (itself owned by Comcast) can threaten your cable company’s access to USA Network, Sy Fy, CNBC, MSNBC, and in some markets Owned & Operated NBC
& Telemundo stations as well as region-specific NBC Sports networks.
CBS Sports Net only exists because CBS bundles it to cable companies if they want to have access to Showtime (whose subscribers are the most lucrative cable company customers since they are rarely price sensitive and likely have HBO and other add-on packages as well) and can threaten access to Owned & Operated CBS stations.
NFL/NBA/MLB/NHL nets are all in business with cable/sat companies. Comcast has relationships with all of them (NFL & NHL air on NBC; MLB/NBA/NHL air on NBC RSNs), NBA Network run by Turner (AT&T), NHL Net run by NBC, MLB Net partially owned by AT&T, Comcast, Charter, Cox.
BeIN has no future as an independent company in the US, it’s programming is just too niche to have any leverage.
JP
September 5, 2018 at 1:24 pm
All true, but only proves that beIN is being treated unfairly relative to other channels of their type.
One of the reasons cited by the FCC in dismissing the lawsuit was that NBCSN and beIN were vastly different channels in terms of the products they televise, but that is blatantly false.
Reason for cited by Comcast for dropping beIN was doubts about their properties going forward, but that isn’t different than CBS which already has less.
It is that forced bundling of channels that has people moving to streaming and skinny packages, we should be supporting channels like beIN, not dismissing them because they also don’t own some lifestyle network the masses watch to force carriage of their sports channel.
HKM
September 5, 2018 at 3:14 pm
I hear what you’re saying but it’s difficult to make the case beIN and NBCSN aren’t vastly different. beIN is at least 95% soccer and while La Liga isn’t niche for soccer fans, in the overall sports landscape in the US, La Liga is definitely niche. NBCSN has the NHL (which I’m not a fan of but is definitely considered more mainstream) as well as the trump card they hold in having the Olympics. If NBCSN’s programming was just EPL, you’d have a case.
CBS Sports is worthless but I’m assuming their per subscriber charge is much less than beIN considering CBS Sports has nothing that costs them much money on it compared to beIN which probably spends more just on La Liga than CBS Sports pays for all of their content combined.
beIN is dead in the water much like Pac-12 Network, another sports network which also has jack s**t for distribution because they have no media partner to give them any leverage with cable companies. If you want to continue to support beIN, follow the man’s advice and support services that do have it, as Comcast & AT&T have made it clear they think they’ll make more money by dropping it and losing a non-material number of customers over it than by keeping it.
If I were La Liga/Relevent though, I’d be looking at two options: 1) Launch a streaming service at an extremely attractive price point like $4/month & $20/season that gives access to all 380 matches and target 2 million subscribers ($40m of US TV rev). Grow the league by being the most affordable to see league in the US.
OR 2) Give rights dirt cheap or even free to ESPN in exchange for minimum of 6 matches per week on linear networks (Fri & Mon afternoon & the early Sat/Sun windows, and 1 more each on Sat & Sun) with at least 2 per week on ESPN/ESPN2 and all other matches available on ESPN+. Even if these were to get stashed on ESPNNews, La Liga would be the most accessible league in the US. Take a near-term revenue hit to be the most followed league long-term, and then you have something you can monetize meaningfully.
Ritchie
September 5, 2018 at 3:38 pm
Agreed. What happens with the carriage of bein sports in order to see La Liga right now is the question.
gogo
September 4, 2018 at 10:12 pm
If BeIN had a functioning streaming service, I would pay them directly. NBC sports gold, ESPN+, BR Live are services offered by their competitors. But they could not even be bothered to fix BeIN Sport Connect. The ROKU app is utter garbage that works 20% of the time. They will die and another company with get all their rights. It’ll be good riddance.
Jeff
September 5, 2018 at 9:49 am
They will not be bullied? Gee isn’t that nice of them. I have not been able to sign in for a month to watch any games because I apparently have used up all five device slots. However, when I go to their website to delete devices, none of these devices show up so I am totally screwed. Every time I contact them to find out when they will have this fixed they tell me they are working on it. For a month?! World Soccer Talk needs to stop printing puff pieces about this awful service and start to look into the fact that BeIn’s service does not work and they are falling way short of their responsibility to provide us that which they advertise. Those are the articles I want to see. BeIn sports is not a victim here. They are a crappy service and honestly the cable companies are getting wise to drop them. I have Spectrum and I suspect we will be next.
Yespage
September 4, 2018 at 8:23 pm
Bein lacks content and corporate leverage. Comcast is competing directy with Bein as much as WWE competes with TNA.
Bein isn’t on lower tiers anywhere. To pretend it is a Comcast thing is folly. And honestly, Comcast is a big bad in the Cable world, it is just bein Sport isn’t an example of it.
Ritchie
September 4, 2018 at 6:58 pm
Post mortem:
1) At a bird’s eye level, La Liga competes with the EPL which is currently an NBC property. However, in actuality, La Liga’s prime games (Real Madrid and Barcelona) are usually shown after EPL has finished for the day. Is the casual fan going to watch more EPL because La Liga doesn’t have carriage on Comcast? It is an easy argument to adopt, but I’m not sure that it reflects reality. Now that doesn’t mean that some suit isn’t convinced that boxing Bein out will help NBCU’s numbers, but TV executives are wrong all the time. I’m hoping that Comcast is dealing in good faith here.
2) Any conflict of interest that NBCU has with Bein doesn’t explain why Fios (since resumed carriage), PS Vue, AT&T and others have also disputes with Bein. When you have problems with everyone, ask yourself if you’re the main problem.
3) Bein might garner more sympathy if they stated (or leaked) their proposed carriage fees. NBCSN is reportedly around $1. Is Bein looking for more than NBCSN? We hear that Bein is asking for an increase, but if the reported number of 10¢ per current subscriber is true, they deserve to ask for more as they are essentially giving it away now.
4) Bein (as we know it) isn’t likely to get La Liga rights 2 years from now. Relevant has stated that their mandate is to make la Liga as popular in the US as the EPL and I doubt that they envision Bein as having any part of that new growth plan. 2 years from now, Bein will have been stripped of their top three leagues: La Liga, Serie A and EFL. I feel like that shouldn’t factor into negotiations now, but Comcast claims that it is germane. I side with Bein on this.
Yespage
September 5, 2018 at 2:41 pm
Regarding the price per viewer:
Bein Sports provides coverage to La Liga and Ligue Un.
NBC provides coverage of the EPL, NHL, Indy Car, Tour de France, NASCAR, among other things.
There is no comparison between the two networks and their content.
Ritchie
September 5, 2018 at 3:31 pm
Bein has soccer friendlies, with CONCACAF and CONMEBOL matches. I’m not saying that we should equate NBCSN with Bein. I just want to know what Bein is asking for as a carriage fee period.
S Pugh
September 4, 2018 at 5:59 pm
Direct TV, At&t U-verse (even before they owned Direct TV), Sony, others have/had it on a higher tier, are they all part of a giant conspiracy also even though they don’t own soccer distribution rights? I know this is shocking to most people on this site but the ratings for beIN compared to ESPN, NBCSN, FS etc are nothing and not even relevant. Chris I hope you are at least get some free access to beIN sports to parrot the talking points and push that angle. beIN Sports is going the way of Al Jazeera news in the U.S., the Relevant deal with La Liga also calls for bring it more exposure, that definitely won’t be renewing the deal with beIN.
Baghdad Bob
September 4, 2018 at 6:03 pm
No I am not scared and neither should you be!
Baghdad Bob
September 4, 2018 at 5:55 pm
Everything is fine here. We will not be bullied!
S Pugh
September 4, 2018 at 6:00 pm
LOL! Your user name sums this up perfectly and sadly people in the soccer community at least the soccer media believe the BS they are putting out. The day this network goes away the better.
Macsimillian
September 10, 2018 at 3:04 pm
I’m not sure why so much skepticism in most comments, cuz when added to the mergers-under-review in the last year of the giants (TimeWarner AT&T Comcast etc), this makes complete sense.
& of course BeIN has had way less viewership when they’re a 5 yr old company, new to the US market. This is been in the news continually, and all the new streaming options have thrown a wrench in the industry – so much is changing, nowhere close to business-as-usual for ANY broadcasters.