STC inks $1.8 bln contract to broadcast Saudi soccer games

Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) has signed a contract for TV and digital broadcasting and marketing sponsorships with the General Sports Authority (GSA) and Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), it said in a statement to Tadawul on Thursday.

The 10-year contract will start from season 2018/2019 and will cost SAR 660 million annually, which will be self-funded, it added.

The contract - the "biggest" in the Middle East region and in the history of Saudi sport sponsorships -  includes the matches of Saudi Professional League (SPL), Cups Competitions, and SAFF organized Saudi National Team matches. The agreement will also include the technical sponsorship of all sporting events and the marketing sponsorship of SPL.

The telecom giant said it would launch “Dawri Plus” channels, to broadcast the competitions, which will allow watching all football matches through free and paid digital and traditional channels.

The first official broadcast of “Dawri Plus” channels and application is for super match for GSA Cup between Al Hilal and Al Ittihad in London on  Aug.18.

Nasser bin Suliman Al Nasser, STC Group CEO, affirmed that STC will add value to the experience of watching sport competition in innovative ways.

"The signing of the historic contract reflects STC new strategy of growth and digital transformation, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom Vision 2030," he added.

STC said the impact of the contract will be positive in the long term.