beIN Sports has signed the deal to become the official broadcaster of Formula 1 in ten territories across Asia including Malaysia. The exclusive broadcasting rights will be in place starting from the start of the upcoming 2023 season until the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Naturally, the deal not only covers the Grand Prix themselves but also Sprint Races as well as Qualifying and Practice sessions. The scope of the broadcast rights includes the company’s linear channels and its dedicated streaming platform, beIN Sports Connect.
Yousef Al-Qbaidly, CEO of beIN Media Group (L) with CEO of Formula One Group, Stefano Domenicali (R) in Singapore which is the current home of beIN Sports Asia Pacific. [Image: beIN Sports.]For the longest time, motorsports and general viewers alike were previously able to catch F1 through Fox Sports on Astro and Unifi TV. However, things took a dramatic change when the channel became one of the casualties during 2021’s “Disney Exodus” which saw the closure of 18 Disney, Fox, National Geographics, and Star-branded channels.
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After that, Astro soldiered on by picking up the rights to show the event on Astro SuperSport 5 channel. At the moment, the satellite TV operator has three beIN Sports linear channels while the beIN Sports Connect app, which is included with a Sports subscription as standard, is supported by both Astro Ultra and Ulti TV boxes.
The current list of beIN Sports linear channels on Astro (L) and Unifi TV (R). The latter will receive bein Sports 2 this February.
On the other hand, Unifi TV customers were left hanging without any F1 broadcast but that has since changed with the announcement by beIN Sports. TM has since confirmed that F1 will be made available to Unifi TV customers once again.
Under Unifi TV, access to the beIN Sports linear channels and beIN Sports Connect app can be obtained via its Ultimate Pack. At the same time, Unifi Plus Box users are also able to install the beIN Sports Connect’s Android TV app into the device.
beIN Sports Connect Android TV app.
Alternatively, Malaysian consumers can also directly subscribe to beIN Sports Connect which costs RM19.90 per month. There is also an annual pass option which is currently being offered at RM159.90.
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