A selection of the latest international news
beIN Sports acquires MENA Olympics rights
beIN Sports will air the 2028 LA Olympics in the MENA region, after agreeing a rights deal with the IOC.
The broadcaster is also showing the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games as part of the deal, which began this week, and it includes the rights for the Youth Olympic Games 2026 and 2028. In addition to linear coverage, beIN’s OTT platform, TOD, will carry live competition, highlights, and original programming.
Yousef Al-Obaidly, Group CEO of beIN Media Group, said: “The Olympic Games represent the pinnacle of global sport and culture, and we are proud to continue our long-standing, trusted partnership with the IOC, bringing the Games to millions of viewers across the MENA region. For more than a decade, beIN has been a committed partner of the IOC, delivering the Olympic Games to audiences while elevating the stories that define the Olympic Movement. Securing the rights to Milano Cortina 2026 and LA28 reflects our long-term commitment to the Games and our continued work with the IOC to expand their reach, impact and positive influence worldwide.”
NBC Sports expands Sportradar deal
NBC Sports has expanded its agreement with Sportradar to add the company’s NBA Advanced Data and GameFrame products across live NBA game broadcasts during the 2025-26 and 2026-27 NBA seasons.
This is in addition to the “Performance View” alt casts of NBA games on Peacock that Sportradar was already providing.
GameFrame uses AI to transform live NBA player-tracking data into on-air graphics, animated replays, shot charts, and customised digital assets.
“This agreement builds upon our long-standing relationship with NBC and reflects how we continue to expand the ways we support their live sports coverage,” said Brian Josephs, VP, The Americas, Sportradar. “As NBC continues to evolve how it serves fans across platforms, Sportradar is helping deliver the data-driven tools that bring greater clarity and context to live games, creating more engaging NBA viewing experiences for fans.”
Le Groupe Dépêche to broadcast French Super League Games
Rugby League Commercial, through its strategic partner IMG, has agreed a deal with Le Groupe Dépêche to air all Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique matches in the 2026 Betfred Super League season, live in France.
The agreement will see Le Groupe Dépêche broadcast a minimum of 51 matches from the regular season live on its premium digital platform Rugbyrama with French commentary, as well as a dedicated weekly wrap-up programme including highlights of all the action from the league. There will also be additional coverage published across the Group’s media outlets including Midi Olympique, L’Indépendant, and the Rugbyrama Twitch channel.
This season will mark the second time both French clubs have competed in the Betfred Super League together, following Toulouse Olympique’s first campaign in 2022.
Adam Treeby, head of broadcast at RL Commercial, said: “Welcoming La Depeche to our overseas broadcast partners is positive news ahead of the start of what promises to be a bumper season of action in the Betfred Super League. Both Super League and the Dragons will celebrate significant milestones in 2026, with the competition turning 30 and the Dragons marking 20 years in Super League, while Toulouse is celebrating a first return to the top flight since 2022.
“We’ve experienced first-hand the passion of French rugby league supporters over the years, so we hope this renewed coverage of the sport in France helps the teams to continue to grow their support base and brand both locally and internationally.”
No comments yet