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The television broadcasting rights for the Saudi league have witnessed an economic transformation over two decades, reflecting the shift of the football product from a local audience scope to an international media industry. Historical figures reveal a clear upward trajectory in the pricing of sports content, driven by changes in investment, the expansion of digital platforms, and the rising global demand for emerging leagues.

In 2003, the value of broadcasting rights was approximately 29.7 million riyals for 3 seasons through Orbit Network, averaging 9.9 million riyals annually. The next phase between 2006 and 2011 saw a leap to 300 million riyals through ART, with an average of 60 million riyals per year, reflecting the expansion of the viewing base within the Arab region.

In 2014, the league entered a long-term media economy phase through an MBC agreement worth 4.1 billion riyals for 10 years, averaging 410 million riyals annually, a level close to that of mid-tier European leagues at that time. Later, STC raised the market value in 2018 to 6.6 billion riyals, averaging 660 million riyals annually, surpassing several Asian and African competitions in terms of broadcasting commercial value.

The structural transformation began with the 2023 season following Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival at Al Nassr Club. The broadcasting map expanded to over 180 countries through European, American, and Asian networks, with the demand for international rights rising by an estimated 35% within a single season. The external broadcasting market has become a key element in the revenue equation, alongside digital subscriptions and direct platforms.

A global comparison shows the Saudi league positioned within the category of economically rising leagues; the average annual broadcasting rights are approaching the levels of the Portuguese and Dutch leagues, with a faster growth rate due to sovereign investment, the strength of club brands, and the broadening of global audience reach.

The recent agreement extending until 2031, valued at 2.32 billion riyals, confirms the transition of value from merely broadcasting matches to a comprehensive content economy that includes digital production, integrated advertising, short clip rights, and distribution across multi-screen platforms.

The economic outcome indicates that the Saudi league has entered a phase of global repricing, where competition has shifted from a sports scope to a competition for the international viewing market, in a model that redefines the region's position within the global sports media industry.