Sky Italia pays small increase to renew exclusive F1 rights for two more seasons
Italian pay-television operator Sky Italia has extended its deal for exclusive rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship. The deal was agreed with Formula One Management, the Formula One Group subsidiary that handles the commercial rights to the series.
OTT challenge to Sky’s Serie A dominance unlikely despite court upholding internet ban
The ruling this month from Italy’s highest administrative court, which brought an end to the legal battle over Sky Italia’s ability to acquire exclusive internet rights, was ostensibly good news for OTT operators. It prevents Italy’s dominant ‘legacy’ pay-television operator from buying these rights, at least until 2022.
Amazon’s NFL renewal unlikely to herald major push in next cycle
The Thursday Night Football renewal between US tech and retail giant Amazon and the National Football League makes sense for both parties. But it does not mark a staging post from which Amazon could disrupt the make-up of the NFL’s main media-rights partners in the next cycle, US media experts say.
International Swimming League won’t delay D2C platform despite Covid-19 pandemic
The International Swimming League is working on two fronts to increase exposure and engagement levels ahead of its second season. It is in renewal talks with many of the broadcasters who covered the league’s inaugural season, while pushing ahead with the development of its own direct-to-consumer OTT platform.
Sports-media industry braces for post-Covid 19 world
Trading in sports media rights has stopped. This has never happened before. The last time global sport came to a standstill was for the Second World War, some time before the sports-rights industry was born.
Eurosport Events swoops to end IMG’s long-standing FIM speedway relationship
The investment of Eurosport Events in global rights to the Speedway World Championships and Speedway of Nations series makes sense for the company on several fronts, independent experts say.
Discovery favourite to pick up WWE in Italy after Sky Italia pulls out
Pay-television operator Sky Italia has dropped the wrestling entertainment series WWE after broadcasting it for 18 years. The decision follows similar choices by Sky’s divisions in the UK and Germany.
Sky antitrust victory opens way for internet bids, but contracts could be overturned
Sky Italia’s victory this month in its challenge to the restrictions placed on its rights acquisitions by the country’s antitrust authority was comprehensive but not definitive.
Tour, Vuelta deals good for EBU and Discovery but ASO incentive uncertain
The latest rights deals for cycling’s Tour de France and La Vuelta a España represent good business for the buyers, the European Broadcasting Union and Discovery Communications, industry insiders familiar with the deals told SportBusiness Media.
NFL faces challenge to grow linear, OTT revenues in key non-US markets
The NFL League is at a pivotal moment in its distribution of media rights outside the US. Deals in two of the league’s most important overseas territories, the UK and China, are up for renewal. The league is also thought to be looking for a new partner for its rights across Europe.
Serie A delays domestic tender to April to allow clearer market landscape to emerge
Italy’s Lega Serie A will launch a tender in April for its domestic media rights for the three seasons from 2021-22 to 2023-24, SportBusiness Media understands. The delay opens space for the resolution of several outstanding issues that have, so far, complicated the process.
EXCLUSIVE: Round one to IMG in legal battle with Serie A as agency secures €30m discount
The IMG agency has secured a discount on its payment for the international rights to Serie A worth €30m ($33.3