Saudi Television has broken Al-Jazeera monopoly and secured the right to show 30 qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup, including those involving the Saudi national team. Sources told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that this step coincides with the Saudi Football Federation's decision to not renew the contract with Al-Jazeera, which ends on Dec. 31. As a result of the decision, the Qatar-based channel will not control broadcast rights to the Saudi national team's matches. Saudi Television, which is owned by the government, bought the rights to air the Saudi national team's matches during the qualifying round of the World Cup and 30 of the 50 qualifying matches. The matches include Saudi Arabia versus Australia in Sydney; Saudi Arabia versus Thailand in Bangkok and others. Saudi TV paid SR2 million to World Sport Company, the official sponsor, for the right to broadcast those matches. The Saudi team's three home matches will also be telecast, at a cost of SR1.5 million. __
