beIN takes control of Asia channels

Sports channel operator beIN Media has taken full control of its channels in Asia.

The channels group has bought out its former joint venture partner, giving it full ownership of the beIN Sports services in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

The nets launched in the region in 2013 and were previously run as a 50-50 partnership with sports rights business MP & Silva, which has now exited.

The Asian channels have rights to premium sports including La Liga after beIN recently struck a deal for rights to games from Spanish football league.

With full control of the channels, beIN said it can implement its wider strategy of ramping up and expanding production and programming at the services.

Nasser Al Khelaifi, chairman and CEO of beIN Media Group, said: “Our priority is to continue expanding our reach in Asia. Our intention is to continue in building a solid network of countries in the Asia-Pacific region and deliver world-class content and stellar sports programming in markets with high growth potential.”

Marco Auletta, CEO of MP & Silva added: “We are very proud of what we have achieved. It has successfully created more competition in the region for the benefit of both rights holders and fans.”

Before being spun off from Al Jazeera and rebranded in late 2013, the beIN Sports channel was known as Al Jazeera Sports.