Saudi media ministry denies Wimbeldon claims of TV piracy

Saudi Arabia’s ministry of media has rejected accusations of The Championships, Wimbledon’s (Wimbledon) claiming that a broadcast pirate channel known as beoutQ is based in the Kingdom, the ministry said in a statement today.

Wimbledon’s allegations parrot those emanating from Al Jazeera Media Network and its subsidiary beIN Sports, Wimbledon’s exclusive licensee in MENA.

Wimbledon’s baseless claims suggest that Saudi Arabia is somehow complicit in beoutQ’s broadcast.

“Wimbledon’s suggestion that Arabsat is facilitating or otherwise turning a blind eye to beoutQ’s operations is simply more Al Jazeera propaganda,” the media ministry said.

Arabsat is a quasi-governmental entity of the Arab League, established by 22 of its members.  

BoutQ’s set top boxes are available in many places, including Qatar and perhaps Eastern Europe.  beoutQ touts itself as based in either Cuba or Colombia.

Al Jazeera has long been banned from broadcasting in Saudi Arabia, and given the current diplomatic impasse between Qatar and numerous Arab nations, including the Kingdom, such claims are highly suspect.

Al Jazeera’s response to the ban has been to escalate a political campaign against Saudi Arabia.

Last month, the Doha-based sports channel had accused Saudi Arabia for sponsoring the shadow network to broadcast FIFA World Cup matches for free. Saudi Arabia denied any link with BeoutQ, Argaam previously reported.