Reds And STC Renew Link

Manchester United and Saudi-based telecommunications giant STC have today announced a five-year extension to their successful sponsorship agreement.

The new partnership will see STC evolve from Official Telecommunications Partner to Official Triple Play Partner, covering Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, also holding triple play rights in Turkey for the first year of the agreement.

As Official Triple Play Partner, STC will bring United’s dedicated TV station, MUTV, to the Gulf region for the first time, with the exclusive rights to distribute MUTV via its TV, online and mobile services in these territories.

United's Group Managing Director Richard Arnold said: "We are delighted to be renewing our partnership with STC, the largest telecommunications company in the Middle East. We have been working together since 2008 and have built a very successful and mutually beneficial partnership.

"Like Manchester United, STC has demonstrated its desire to lead the way in its industry, being the first of our partners to launch an official Manchester United mobile app, as well as, for the first time, bringing MUTV to our millions of followers within the Gulf region.

"The renewal of our partnership will greatly benefit our fans, as STC develop more and more interesting ways to bring them closer to the club they so passionately support."

STC's board of directors member and chairman of the investment committee, Mr. Mohammed Al Dhoheyan, added: "We are proud to be renewing and growing our successful partnership with such a globally recognised brand as Manchester United.

"We will exceed fans’ expectations, giving them never-before-seen footage and access to exclusive content in a way that is relevant and engaging to each and every one of them. There is a lot of potential to grow the sports rights market in the Middle East, and this deal will ensure that STC continues to lead the way in this sector.

"STC continues to focus on the growing youth population and sport is one of its key ways to reach out to them, not just in KSA but also across the Middle East region. One such effort has been our association with the various sports clubs in Saudi Arabia and the launch of our successful 'Dawri Plus' solution for football enthusiasts.

"Sports marketing is an untapped area and offers huge growth opportunities for regional organisations, and this will be a key growth area for STC in the coming months."