beIN launches movie and entertainment channels

Sports and entertainment network beIN has expanded its platform with the launch of a range of movie and entertainment channels in the Middle East and North Africa.

Announcing the move, beIN said that it is launching 24 entertainment channels in HD and that the company is positioning itself as a “comprehensive pay TV entertainment player” in the MENA region.

beIN Media Group chairman and CEO Nasser Al Khelaifi said: “beIN’s vision is to reshape the future of pay TV and family entertainment in MENA through offering premium multi-genre entertainment at affordable prices.”

Alongside beIN’s existing premium sports offering, it will now also air blockbuster movies, family entertainment, factual and kids content.

beIN said that expects “significant subscriber growth” following this strategic expansion and that the company is “determined to keep expanding its sports, movies and entertainment content portfolio”.

The new channels will be available for free to existing beIN subscribers until the end of 2015, while new subscribers will be able to buy the package offering.

beIN’s sports offering includes coverage of competitions like the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, English Premier League, German Bundesliga and Italian Serie A football, French Open Tennis, NBA basketball, MotoGP motorsports, Tour de France cycling and Six Nations rugby.

beIN has also licensed a 642-episode package from Prime Entertainment and titles include Hollywood On Set, Ultimate Countdown, Close Up and Hollywood Singing and Dancing.