The Dean

......... Al Jazeera.............

Al Jazeera Sport has bought exclusive media rights to English Premier League soccer in the Middle East and North Africa for three years starting from next month, it said in a statement on Monday.
Qatar-based Al Jazeera reached agreement with TV sports rights firm MP & Silva for access to all 380 Premier League matches across media platforms and devices in 23 countries from Iran to Morocco, taking in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.
Former Sky Sports presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray will front the English language programmes with Ayman Jada and Mohammed Saadon Al Kuwari presenting Arabic coverage starting with the 2013-14 season which kicks off on Aug. 17.
In January, MP & Silva trumped its larger rivals Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) and Al Jazeera to win the three-year contract to distribute Premier League soccer in the region.

The_Citizen

I thought this was confirmed a couple of months ago?

The Dean

Really? News to me. You could be right, but I certainly hadn't heard.

The_Citizen

I think there was a thread on here to be honest.

The Dean

Interesting - the press release I have seen is only dated yesterday, but that may just be some sort of 'official confirmation'.

OK......... as you were.............

The_Citizen

I'm not a big fan of Al Jazeera. Quite liked Abu Dhabi Sports.

I wonder if they will still have the Championship rights.

scrubbedexpat141

Terrible news.

I hope they release lots of HD channels and lots of English commentary. AD Sports had it nailed.

co durham boy

Good news , free football for Qatar residents !

The_Citizen

AD Sports was great. Everything on HD, every game with English commentary. Fanzone was always good when nothing else was on as well.

co durham boy

Al Jazeera will put on a decent show , they'll throw loads of money at it and fly in the guests . Keys and Gray have been in town for the last month or so tying up the deal to front it .

scrubbedexpat141

As long as it's in English and HD and they show Saints then nothing else matters.

co durham boy

Andy Gray and Richard Keys don't speak much Arabic

Kix

In your dreams....

co durham boy

Have faith bonny lad . Joe Kinnear's back from Benidorm today

scrubbedexpat141

Valid point. But that still leaves Saints being on every week and HD.

Two massive issues I'm sure you'll agree.