beIN SPORTS hits back after losing La Liga rights in France

beIN SPORTS has issued a strongly worded response after DAZN and Disney+ secured the rights to broadcast La Liga in France, ending the network’s role as the competition’s official broadcaster since 2012.

The agreement will apply from this season and cover the next three campaigns. The decision has been described by French website Foot Mercato as a major shock to the country’s sports-media landscape.

La Liga president Javier Tebas said the change was driven by a desire to improve viewing figures and expand the competition’s reach among supporters.

“After many years of complete satisfaction with beIN SPORTS, we needed a change. This change will come with Disney+ and DAZN. Both providers will offer all the matches from every round, meaning they will provide the same product,” Tebas said.

He added that supporters would be able to decide which service they wanted to subscribe to, presenting the arrangement as a benefit for football audiences in both France and Spain.

“Fans will be able to choose the platform they want to subscribe to. I think this is a major advantage for French and Spanish football supporters. These are two different platforms: one is focused on sport, while Disney+ is not limited to sports content,” he said.

Tebas also argued that the two services could complement one another in the French market.

“In our view, they will complement each other extremely well in France. These are two new and innovative platforms that will allow audiences to follow our competitions. We hope we have made the right decision, reach as many supporters as possible and give them the opportunity to choose the platform they prefer,” he said.

beIN SPORTS, however, rejected the suggestion that the loss of the rights represented a straightforward change in its business approach. In comments reported by the French website, the broadcaster compared the process with the economics of running a television channel rather than the movement of players between clubs.

“Managing a television channel is not like the transfer market, where you win or lose players to another club. It is a matter of sound economics and understanding our audience and their viewing habits,” beIN SPORTS said.

The network insisted it remained in a strong position, with other major sporting rights forming part of its long-term strategy.

“We have the rights we need, at the right price, with the right partners. We have enjoyed exceptional coverage of the 2026 World Cup, and other important rights are on the way. We have a long-term business plan and a strong partnership with Canal+,” it added.

beIN SPORTS also criticised La Liga’s decision to divide its French broadcasting rights between two platforms.

“La Liga has now chosen to split its rights between two channels. One of them has already failed after only one season with Ligue 1. The other is still completely absent from the French market,” the broadcaster said.

The change brings an end to beIN SPORTS’ uninterrupted position as La Liga’s official broadcaster in France since 2012. Tebas’ comments suggest the league believes a dual-platform model involving DAZN and Disney+ can attract a wider audience, while beIN SPORTS maintains that its own strategy remains focused on sustainable economics, established partnerships and future rights opportunities.