Al Jazeera’s BeIN Sports set to take over Digiturk

Al Jazeera’s BeIN Sports is expected to acquire Turkish pay TV operator Digiturk for between US$1-US$1.2 billion (€925 million-€1.1 billion), according to local reports. 

Local paper Star Gaztesi reported that finalization of the sale is imminent, pending approval by the Turkish Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF), the body that seized control of former Çukurova Holding’s 47% stake in the operator following a long-running dispute over taxes.

Digiturk’s other investor, Providence Equity Partners, has reportedly already agreed to the sale.

Digiturk has about 3.3 million subscribers and hjolds rights to first division Turkish football until the end of the 2016-17 season.