UAE sports fans were given a treat over the weekend with the reactivation of the beIN Sports channels on their TV sets.
After suddenly disappearing a month ago, eLife subscribers received a text message from UAE telecom provider Etisalat stating that all was back to normal. “We would like to advise that starting 22 July 2017 the beIN package will be available to customers and normal charges will apply,” the message read.
On June 14, the UAE issued a directive banning Qatar-based beIN’s services in the UAE due to an ongoing rift between Qatar and the Arab quartet of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.
“The UAE authorities have issued a decision today [Wednesday, June 14] to stop selling beIN Sports receivers and cards in country. The authorities also warned that any shop selling or renewing such cards would be subject to fines,” UAE state news agency WAM had reported then.
Even as the service is back on Etisalat’s networks as July 22, the question that is on everyone’s mind and that Etisalat left unanswered is whether or not the channel will continue to beam.
There are several high-profile sporting events lined up, including the Premier League 2017/18 season (starts August 12) and 2018 World Cup qualifiers (starts September). “The provision of the beIN package will be subject to an ongoing review,” said Etisalat in its text messages to subscribers.