Update: Lebanon’s judiciary Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed by BeIN Sports against Tele Liban television over broadcasting rights, saying the case lacked jurisdiction.
(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Tele Liban will face a court hearing on Monday after being sued by BeIN Sports over broadcasting the 2014 World Cup without rights and authorization.
Tele Liban began broadcasting World Cup matches on June 12.
BeIN Sports granted exclusive broadcasting rights to the Lebanese firm Sama, who was charging more than $100 per household for a World Cup viewing package. After public opposition and uproar, Telecommunications Minister Boutros Harb announced that the state would pay $3 million to Sama to cover the company’s losses. Rights were then transferred to Lebanese TV cable providers.
Tele Liban’s head Talal Makdessi decided to broadcast all the World Cup’s matches, saying he would sacrifice his job to provide the chance for all Lebanese to watch the world’s most popular sports tournament.
Tele Liban did not release a formal statement commenting on the lawsuit, but was announced on live TV by a sports analysts, before the beginning of the Chile vs. Brazil match.