Enemies become friends in ‘rational’ rights-sharing switch
Industry experts believe the Portuguese sports-rights market is set to stagnate for the foreseeable future after the country’s three biggest telcos took equal stakes in dominant pay-television broadcaster Sport TV, ending any possibility of competition between them.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai channels share cost of Gulf league rights
A gentlemen’s agreement between media groups belonging to the governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai means the United Arab Emirates Pro League’s media-rights income will remain flat.
MP & Silva successfully holds out for Serie A increase in Turkey
The MP & Silva agency has secured a solid increase in the value of Serie A media rights in Turkey, but will wait to see how the market develops before committing to a deal for more than one season.
TV2 hungry for content as it adds MotoGP to sports portfolio
Hungarian broadcaster TV2 has made aggressive moves into the sports-rights market in recent weeks, acquiring English Premier League, National Hockey League and MotoGP rights.
Econet continues to grow sports portfolio in sub-Saharan Africa
African telco Econet has continued to spend its billion-dollar sports-rights acquisition budget in recent weeks, buying Formula One, National Football League and Brazilian football rights.
Infront set to extend Champions Hockey League contract
The Infront Sports & Media agency will pay about double its current outlay for Champions Hockey League media and marketing rights in a bid to have greater control over the competition, TV Sports Markets understands.
Football TV hopes to grow despite tough local conditions
Independent pay-television broadcaster Football TV has ridden out the country’s tough media market since the rouble crashed in late 2014, and believes it could be in a position to thrive over the next three years.
Canal Plus pays big for French-language Premier League rights
Canal Plus Afrique’s French-language deal for English Premier League rights is a landmark moment for the league, as its rights are now more expensive than the more locally-relevant French Ligue 1.
Attempted coup and Süper Lig talks leave other rights-holders waiting for coverage
Political turmoil, arguments over price and the beginning of Turkish Süper Lig negotiations has created a logjam in the Turkish sports-rights market, badly affecting rights-holders including the International Olympic Committee and the English Premier League.
Azam to focus on Tanzania after landmark deals
Pay-television broadcaster Azam TV is rethinking its expansion plans in sub-Saharan Africa, having shifted its focus to its home market of Tanzania.