Qatar media giant beIN's TV channels, including Premier League football, were off-limits to the UAE's biggest network on Thursday after their partnership was discontinued, according to the two broadcasters.
The United Arab Emirates' Etisalat had announced that it will not be showing beIN-supplied channels from June 1, but did not provide a reason.
"After lengthy discussions where beIN has tirelessly sought to extend our decade-long partnership with Etisalat, we are disappointed not to be able to renew this relationship at this time," a beIN Media Group spokesperson told AFP on Thursday.
"This means beIN's amazing content will not be available on" Etisalat but will be available to "valued and loyal subscribers in the UAE through the beIN Satellite Network" and beIN's TOD streaming service.
A group of countries including the UAE cut all ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing Doha of supporting extremism and being too close to regional rival Iran. Qatar denies the allegations.
In the immediate aftermath of the crisis, beIN channels were blocked in the UAE, but were back on air shortly after. Ties with Qatar were restored in early 2021.
