Algerian state broadcaster, ENTV have, according to multiple reports in Algerian media, sealed a deal for the broadcast rights of the 2015 African Cup of Nations set to kick off in Equatorial Guinea. ENTV secured the contract having reached a sub-licensing agreement with BeIN Media Group, which is owned by Al Jazeera. The deal is reportedly worth about $12 million.

The arrangement stipulates that ENTV airs 12 games in total. The state broadcaster will air all of Algeria’s group stage fixtures as well as the tournament opener between hosts Equatorial Guinea and Congo. In addition, ENTV will air every fixture in the quarter-final stage as well as the semi-finals. The broadcaster will also air the third place play-off as well as the final scheduled for February 8th.

In a similar vein, reports also suggest that ENTV has also sub-licensed the broadcast rights to the International Handball Federation (IHF) World Men’s Handball Championship as well and also from BeIN Media Group. The tournament, which is being held in Qatar from 15th January to 1st February, will be aired to sports fans across the Mahgreb nation.

Both deals will put ENTV in a strategic position for sports friendly brands in Algeria, who will inevitably aim to leverage on the frenetic passion that local fans have for the national football and handball teams. With the interesting prospects of recouping their investment via premium priced media sales and possibly even product placements, ENTV will be eager to see the tournaments begin.

The Algerian male national team- the Fennec Foxes- are heavy favourites to emerge victorious in Equatorial Guinea after a remarkable year which saw them put on an impressive showing at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil as well as win the award for CAF’s National Team of the Year at the recent Glo/CAF awards held in Lagos on January 8th.