Altice-owned French TV provider SFR signed a distribution agreement with beIN Sports positioning SFR “as more of a direct competitor” with Canal+ in the sports domain, according to Tanguy Berthault of LE FIGARO. SFR has already reinforced its sports offering “with the launch of SFR Sport and its six Premier League matches per week.” But SFR “is not stopping there.” As of last week, viewers “have access to beIN Sports via an SFR membership.” Members must subscribe to SFR’s “Power Box” for €29.99 ($33.96) per month. The offer “allows viewers to watch beIN Sports’ 10 channels that show major competitive sports (Ligue 1, Champions League, NBA, Handball and others), accessible on TV, smartphone or tablet.” SFR General Dir Alain Weill said that the company wants to “expand its offering of sports competitions.” It is “one way to justify the relatively high subscription cost.” The Box Power offering comes two months after the competition authority “denied the distribution agreement between Canal+ and beIN Sports.” SFR was “firmly opposed to the agreement” (LE FIGARO, 8/17).
