EXCLUSIVE: Al Jazeera Sports Network has won the US TV rights to La Liga, beginning with the 2012-13 season, according to a source.
The shocking news means that GolTV’s flagship league will no longer be shown on the Miami-based network. Al Jazeera Sports Network’s acquisition of La Liga rights comes hot on the heels of similar acquisitions by Al Jazeera Sports Network worldwide including winning the bid to show Ligue 1 in France from 2012-13 through 2018-18, as well as the rights to show UEFA Champions League in France from 2012-2015.
Al Jazeera Sports is currently only available in Arabic on DISH Network (channel 601 in HD). No news was available as of press time in regards to Al Jazeera Sports Network’s plans for how and where it’ll broadcast La Liga games in the US starting next season, or whether games will be available online via streaming.
Al Jazeera Sports Network, in the US, currently has the rights to AFC Asian Champions League (2012-2013), Africa Cup of Nations (through 2014), CAF Champions League (2012-13), Moroccan league (through 2013), Algerian league, Jordanian league and Syrian league.
Based in Qatar, Al Jazeera already provides coverage of La Liga to its audience in the Middle East.
Representatives from GolTV and Al Jazeera Sports Network were unable to be reached for immediate comment.
