Brazil World Cup TV prices in UAE anger football supporters

The two TV service providers in the UAE, plus regional rights holders BeIN Sports, are all charging customers extra to watch the World Cup

Fed-up football fans in the UAE have cried foul for what they claim is TV providers cashing in on this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The two TV service providers in the UAE, plus regional rights holders BeIN Sports, are all charging customers extra to watch the world’s best footballers battle it out for the sport’s greatest prize from June 12 to July 13.

But with fans desperate to see the Samba showdown this summer, supporters acknowledge they’ve got no other option but to dig deep and cough up the cash.

“I feel cheated,” said Dubai-based England fan Colin Fountain. “They do it because they know that people are keen. They kind of hold you to ransom.”

Etisalat announced on Tuesday that its subscribers will have to pay Dhs450 to add the World Cup to their existing TV package. The company also launched new packages, including World Cup coverage, for a minimum of Dhs499. However, Etisalat failed to clarify what else you get in the new packages and the exact cost.

The firm also did not provide an answer as to why additional charges had to be put in place.

Similarly, Du previously announced that it will charge an additional Dhs440 on top of a monthly fee of Dhs79 that customers already pay for their sports package.

“BeIN SPORTS is the current broadcaster of the World Cup and hence the channels and the prices have been predetermined,” said Du in a statement to 7DAYS. But another angry fan, Nader Muqbel, 34, added: “Why do you need to burden the customer with more charges? But I am a football lover, I’m against illegal streaming so I guess I’ll have to pay.”

Meanwhile, fans who subscribe to football direct through BeIN Sports will have to pay an additional Dhs570 for their World Cup package for existing customers in the UAE. The broadcaster is offering what it calls a ‘World Cup’ package of 12 months for Dhs 1,018, according to their website.

BeIN Sports could not be reached for comment on the issue.

wafa.issa@7days.ae