BeIN Sports Secures Conference USA TV Rights

Conference USA has put BeIN Sports in play for distribution of its live sports events, announcing Wednesday a multi-year deal with the network.

BeIN becomes the fourth network to secure distribution rights to live Conference USA events following CBS Sports, American Sports Network and ESPN, which Wednesday also announced its own Conference USA deal to televise five footoball games and the conference's football championship game in 2016 and 2017.

BeIN will air Conference USA football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball games across its English-language network and its beIN Sports Connect streaming service, said network officials. 

Related: BeIN Sports adds MMA, Tennis, college football games to lineup.

 “Our commitment to expand beIN Sports’ domestic programming is demonstrated with the addition of Conference USA, bringing U.S. viewers elite NCAA Division I sports to enjoy on their TV screens and mobile devices,” said Yousef Al-Obaidly, Deputy CEO of beIN Media Group in a statement. “This strategic partnership will provide our fans with a diverse selection of collegiate sports for the first time ever on our network, including fan favorites such as football, basketball and baseball.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.