I think ART have lost the football for next season. Can anyone confirm?

[HOMESDALE]

Showtime Arabia wins Premier League
for Seasons 2007/8 to 2009/10
World’s best football league to be available exclusively on its network

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12 November 2006


Showtime Arabia announced today that the world’s most popular and watched sporting league, the Premier League, will be available exclusively on Showtime Arabia, the best pay television network across the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region. Showtime Arabia has acquired the broadcast rights for three seasons starting in August 2007.

Famous clubs, world-class players, passionate fans, and a way of life for millions, the Premier League is widely acknowledged as the most exciting football competition in the world. Premier League matches are broadcast every week during the season in over 200 countries around the world and followed by over a billion fans.

Mr. Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive of the Premier League, said “We are extremely pleased to have awarded the broadcast rights to Showtime Arabia. We believe Showtime Arabia has the perfect platform on which to further raise the profile of the Premier League in a region which has shown great appetite for football. We look forward to working with them to bring all of the very best of the Premier League action to homes across the region”.

“Acquiring these rights is absolutely in line with Showtime Arabia’s strategy to provide our customers with the very best in entertainment, including exclusive premium sports, movies, and series.” said Mr. Faisal Al Ayyar, Chairman of Showtime Arabia. “The Premier League’s choice of Showtime Arabia is a reflection of our leadership in the MENA region. Showtime Arabia values their trust and will work closely with them to execute a strategy which clearly articulates the high quality value of the league and leverages the strength of the Showtime brand and network across the region.”

Building upon its leading technology platform, Showtime Arabia will set new standards for the production and broadcast of Premier League matches. In both Arabic and English language, the innovative coverage will further distinguish Showtime Arabia as the leading pay television operator in the region.


About The Premier League
The Premier League broadcasts 380 live football matches to over 200 countries and over 1 billion people every week. The world’s most popular league is increasingly the home for many of the best international football players, including Michael Ballack, Andrei Schevchenko, Christiano Ronaldo, Mido, Cesc Fabregas, Wayne Rooney, and Thierry Henry playing for some of the world’s biggest football clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool.


About Showtime Arabia
Showtime Arabia is the leading pay televison network in the Middle East and North Africa. The company provides customers across the region with the very best in exclusive premium sports, Arabic movies on Al Shasha, and blockbuster movies and series through its exclusive relationships with major Hollywood studios. The network is owned by Gulf DTH, which is a joint venture between KIPCO and Viacom.

source : Showtime Arabia

 

[_stu_]

As you can see, the press release is dated 12th November 2006, so it is well-known on all the forums.

 

[companion]

I'd heard a rumour!!!!

 

[rolfw]

Yes, see this thread, there is a big discussion on it.