Customers who wish to continue accessing beIN content will be able to do this directly through beIN's official channels.
Etisalat by e& confirmed this morning that “it will discontinue beIN supplied channels due to commercial reasons, effective June 1, 2023″. The announcement indicates that pricing negotiations between the two parties fell through.
The release from the UAE telco said: “etisalat by e& remains committed to providing premium entertainment and sports options to its customers at affordable prices. While beIN content will no longer be available on eLife TV, we will continue to invest in sports content to deliver to our customers an extensive range of popular sports both directly and via our partners. This already includes AFC football, international cricket like the T20 World Cup and IPL, Italian Serie A football, rugby, UFC, Formula 1, pro cycling, and international golf among many others.”
Those customers who have subscribed to eLife packages with beIN content bundled in, will now receive an automatic and ongoing monthly discount of AED 184 (USD 50) on their bill for the period starting June 1, 2023 onwards. Etisalat by e& has also announced that “customers may change, downgrade or cease the affected eLife packages without penalty prior to the September 30, 2023”.
For customers subscribed to beIN as an add-on to their eLife service, the recurring add-on fees for the service will no longer be charged effective June 1, 2023 and any exit charges for the beIN add-on will be waived.
Business customers will be contacted directly.
In response to BroadcastPro ME‘s request for comment, a beIN Media Group spokesperson said: “After lengthy discussions where beIN has tirelessly sought to extend our decade-long partnership with Etisalat, we are disappointed not to be able to renew this relationship at this time. This means beIN’s amazing content will not be available on eLife TV. beIN will continue to provide the world’s very best premium sports and entertainment content – including the keynote sports events such as the UEFA Champions League Final and the FA Cup Final – to our valued and loyal subscribers in the UAE through the beIN Satellite Network, the DU Network and TOD.”
