Premier League football matches "have been caught up in a massive piracy operation that is illegally broadcasting every game on an industrial scale," according to Anthony Cuthbertson of the London INDEPENDENT. The beoutQ live streaming platform, which operates out of Saudi Arabia, "is the result of a diplomatic dispute in the Middle East." Broadcasting rights to the Premier League in the region are owned by Doha-based network beIN Sports, "whose feed is hijacked" by beoutQ. Since launching last year, beoutQ "has grown to 10 different channels that are broadcast through the ArabSAT satellite broadcasting network to set-top boxes that are widely available in Saudi Arabia." The pirating of World Cup matches earlier this summer prompted FIFA to "join widespread condemnation" of beoutQ, which has seen several sports' governing bodies "openly criticize Saudi Arabia's perceived lack of action against the piracy" (INDEPENDENT, 8/17). DIGITAL TV EUROPE's Stuart Thomson reported the French Professional Football League (LFP) "has become the latest sporting body" to line up behind beIN Media's "campaign to combat" beoutQ. Following the Ligue 1 season kickoff, the LFP confirmed its matches were being broadcast illegally by beoutQ. The French sporting body sent a letter to the European Commission's trade directorate-general "seeking support for investigating the pirate streamer" and "demanded that pressure be placed on Saudi Arabia to act." The LFP also wrote to Saudi-based satellite operator Arabsat. LFP General Dir Didier Quillot said, "The LFP continues to take all necessary action to defend its interests and the interests of its broadcasters" (DIGITAL TV EUROPE, 8/17).
SERIOUS BUSINESS: In Doha, Anthony Harwood reported the Premier League joined Ligue 1 to take beoutQ to the EC. It happened after the two leagues "had all the matches of the new season broadcast by the rogue transmitter" across MENA. The Premier League, "whose matches were also pirated last season, decided enough was enough." It said in a statement, "The Premier League has written to the European Commission as part of the Sports Rights Owners Coalition. This is just one of the measures we are taking to address this very serious issue. We operate a significant anti-piracy programme in a range of countries to protect the copyright of the League and our clubs" (GULF TIMES, 8/16).
