Opel Handball Bundesliga Enjoys Wide Reach in the Middle East and North Africa Thanks to Algerian TV Channel SPORT PLUS HD

This is made possible by an agreement between SPORT PLUS HD and the HBL. The channel is the exclusive broadcast partner of the Opel Handball Bundesliga in Algeria and North Africa and will also broadcast the competition in countries across the Middle East. SPORT PLUS HD’s rights package includes three full-length live matches from the Opel HBL per match day, with commentary in Arabic and Tamazight. The agreement also includes live coverage of the Rexel Super Cup matches to kick off the season and all four matches of the Lidl Final4 for the DHB Cup. SPORT PLUS HD is available via Nilesat 7° West, online, and on mobile devices.

In addition to the exclusive markets of Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco, the agreement covers countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and other nations in the Middle East and North Africa region.

In addition to the numerous live matches, the agreement also includes rights to highlight clips on digital and social media channels, as well as on-demand and re-live broadcasts.

On the occasion of the official signing of the agreement, a delegation from the Algerian TV station SPORT PLUS HD accepted an invitation from HBL Managing Director Frank Bohmann. Led by SPORT PLUS HD CEO Bouzid Ichalalene, the delegation visited the HBL headquarters in Cologne, accompanied by Bob Zermani, who served in an advisory capacity to the management team.

“Our agreement is part of broader efforts to promote handball in Algeria. We want Algerian players, coaches, and clubs to have regular access to the best handball in the world; for us, this is a logical step toward fostering the growth of this popular sport in our country. In addition, our network wants to enable even more people to be part of this success story, because handball is the team sport in which our country has been most successful to date,” says Bouzid Ichalalene, CEO of SPORT PLUS HD.

Frank Bohmann: “Through Sport Plus HD’s programming, we reach millions of viewers every week in the Middle East and North Africa. By regularly broadcasting top-tier Bundesliga matches to well over 20 countries in total, we are increasing the reach and visibility of the Opel HBL. Following the agreements we concluded this year in India and the U.S. market, we are now entering into a partnership in another key market where interest in handball—both on TV and as a sport—is growing at an enormous pace. I am convinced that together we will capitalize on this great potential.”

In addition to increasing marketing revenues, one of the primary goals of HBL’s international marketing efforts is, above all, to reach additional target audiences outside the DACH region. HBL GmbH directly markets the international audiovisual media rights to Opel HBL and 2nd HBL games across all platforms, as well as their central licensing and sponsorship rights.

Maxi Elze, Head of Media Rights & Development at HBL GmbH: “The partnership with SPORT PLUS HD establishes a lasting presence for the Opel HBL in the MENA region—a market that is strategically important to us and where we see enormous potential. Our current focus is on significantly increasing the reach and popularity of our Bundesliga and the sport of handball in general.”

HBL’s licensing partnerships currently include leading global media networks. Through this network, HBL GmbH’s product portfolio currently reaches over 80 countries worldwide.