06/04/2026 Lig TV, beIN Sports, Digiturk, name change 1 hit 0 Kommentare

For years, Lig TV was the single destination for Turkish football fans. On the night of 13 January 2017, the beIN Sports logo appeared on screen and marked the end of one era and the start of another. So why was Digiturk sold, why did Lig TV become beIN Sports, and how did this change impact Turkish football broadcasting? Here are the answers.

TL;DR: Lig TV was officially rebranded as beIN Sports on 13 January 2017. The change followed the 2016 acquisition of Digiturk by Qatar-based beIN Media Group from Çukurova Holding for an estimated USD 1.1 billion. It was a pure rebrand: subscriptions, broadcast infrastructure and Süper Lig rights continued uninterrupted under the new brand.

Quick Facts

Item	Detail
Former name	Lig TV (2001–2017)
New name	beIN Sports Türkiye
Rebrand date	13 January 2017
Acquirer	beIN Media Group (Qatar)
Seller	Çukurova Holding
Estimated deal value	~USD 1.1 billion
Acquisition year	2016
Parent HQ	Doha, Qatar
Distribution	Digiturk (satellite) + beIN Connect (OTT)

When Did Lig TV Become beIN Sports?

Lig TV, Turkey's longest-running sports channel, officially adopted the beIN Sports brand on 13 January 2017. The transition followed a pre-planned schedule and was timed for the weekend before the second half of the Süper Lig season. The familiar Lig TV logo gave way overnight to the red-and-white emblems of beIN Sports. The change was not limited to visual identity: channel numbers, digital platforms and mobile apps were also updated the same night.

Viewers experienced no interruption. The next morning, Digiturk subscribers saw beIN Sports branding in place of the long-familiar Lig TV identity, while subscriptions and broadcast rights remained unchanged.

Why Did Lig TV Change Its Name?

The name change reflected the global brand strategy of beIN Media Group after acquiring Digiturk. International groups such as ESPN and Sky Sports had previously consolidated regional channels under a single brand to multiply brand value, and the Turkish market—given the size of its football audience—was a logical step. The rebrand also signalled fresh investment: bigger production budgets, new studio designs, enhanced graphics systems and a wider commentary roster, all aimed at international broadcasting standards while preserving local DNA.

Who Bought Digiturk?

Negotiations that began in late 2015 concluded in 2016, when Digiturk was sold to Qatar-based beIN Media Group. The acquisition placed Digiturk and all of its channels under the umbrella of one of the largest media conglomerates in the Middle East.

Which Country Owns beIN Sports?

beIN Media Group is headquartered in Doha, Qatar. It broadcasts in more than 40 countries and holds rights to UEFA Champions League, Europa League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, tennis Grand Slams, motorsport and many other properties. Its global expansion was aligned with Qatar's vision of becoming an international sports hub—an ambition that culminated in hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

How Much Did Digiturk Sell For?

The deal value was not officially disclosed in detail, but multiple international outlets reported a figure of approximately USD 1.1 billion, making it one of the largest media transactions in Turkish history.

What Changed in Broadcasting After the Rebrand?

Following the rebrand, beIN Sports rolled out a series of upgrades:

4K broadcasts: Selected high-profile matches began airing in 4K resolution.
Expanded commentary team: Former footballers and expert pundits deepened analysis programmes.
Multilingual options: Alternative English commentary became available for selected matches.
Advanced statistics: Graphics were enriched with metrics like xG (expected goals).
Digital priority: A dedicated team produced content for social media and YouTube; the beIN Connect OTT platform was developed.

What Happened to Classic Lig TV Programmes and Presenters?

Legendary formats such as Maraton, the weekend round-up programme, were retained but updated visually under beIN Sports. Some shows were redesigned with shorter, more dynamic formats. Familiar presenters largely continued under the new brand, while new faces—former national team players and well-known coaches—joined the commentary roster.

From Lig TV to beIN Sports: A Quick Timeline

2001: Lig TV launches as Turkey's first dedicated football channel under Digiturk.
2010: Lig TV secures long-term Süper Lig broadcast rights.
August 2015: Çukurova Holding opens sale talks for Digiturk.
August 2016: beIN Media Group completes the acquisition.
13 January 2017: The Lig TV brand is retired; the channel relaunches as beIN Sports.
After 2017: beIN Connect, 4K broadcasts and advanced analytics are introduced.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are Lig TV and beIN Sports the same channel?

Yes. beIN Sports is the rebranded version of Lig TV. Frequencies, subscriptions and broadcast rights all belong to the same organisation; only the brand and visual identity changed.