DAZN, the global sports-focused OTT service, has further enhanced its “freemium” free-to-air content offering courtesy of a new multi-year tie-up with Saudi Arabian soccer’s top-flight Saudi Pro League (SPL).
The two-year deal will see DAZN establish a content hub on its site for the Saudi Pro League, which will host highlights packages and other ancillary content from around the competition for free on its site.
Speaking on the deal, DAZN chief executive Shay Segev commented: “On-demand content from this world-class competition adds to our growing portfolio, through our investment in premium football content, giving fans everywhere access to the most exciting leagues.
“Our global scale and innovative technology will deliver a high-quality, immersive entertainment experience to DAZN’s global audience of passionate football fans.”
DAZN has made a concerted effort to expand the offerings on its free tier since its launch in late 2023.
To this end, in April 2024, the company hired Elena Novokreshchenova as chief executive of its ‘freemium’ service.
In expanding its free-to-air offering, DAZN also deepens its relationship with Saudi Arabia, after the country’s Public Investment Fund sovereign wealth vehicle took a significant stake in the streamer earlier in the year.
The SPL has also expanded its coverage reach across sub-Saharan Africa through a new broadcast partnership with Disney-owned ESPN Africa.
Going forward, ESPN Africa will broadcast three matches per gameweek across the 2025-26 campaign, which begins on August 28 and will run through May 2026.
Additionally, the broadcaster will also showcase the season-opening Saudi Super Cup tournament and the mid-season King’s Cup knockout competition from the quarter finals onwards.
Beyond the attraction of Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo, the league is a hotbed of talent from across the African continent, with several players from sub-Saharan Africa turning out for the league’s top clubs.
These include the likes of Senegal’s Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr) and Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Ivory Coast’s Franck Kessie (Al-Ahli), Mali’s Abdoulaye Doucoure (Neom FC), Zambia’s Fashion Sakala (Al-Fayha), and South Africa’s Mohau Nkota (Al-Ettifaq).
