Analysis
TNT’s one-year WWE deal keeps UK fee flat
WWE’s one-year extension in the UK with TNT Sports kept both sides happy as the promotion prepares for a near-global media rights deal with Netflix.
Littler’s fairytale run sets stage for PDC UK rights renewal
Luke Littler’s run to the 2024 PDC World Championship final has created a lasting boost for UK darts audiences, putting Matchroom in a strong position ahead of renewal talks.
KBO League boosts revenues through CJ ENM digital play
The Korean Baseball Organisation will receive a 30-per-cent increase in domestic rights fees for its top-tier league after media group CJ ENM secured exclusive streaming rights at a strong uplift.
United World Wrestling to monetise betting rights for first time in global RFP
By bundling betting streaming, data collection and distribution rights into its global RFP, United World Wrestling is looking to test the market and bring a wider pool of agencies to the table.
Pitch recoups half of international BCCI fee through TNT Sports deal
Pay-television broadcaster TNT Sports secured rights in the UK and Ireland to all India home matches from January 2024 to March 2028 after facing minimal competition for the rights.
New World TV, MMS, SportyTV: new players shaking up African rights market
In the last three to four years, the sports media industry in sub-Saharan Africa has seen an influx of new players who are challenging established operators and entrenched myths about how business works in the region.
NFL-Genius betting rights extension reaffirms that cash is king
The current crop of cash-plus-equity betting rights deals agreed by US sports leagues at the start of the decade are likely to be the last of their kind, according to industry experts polled by SportBusiness for its new Betting Rights Report 2024.
Professional Women’s Hockey League targets reach in inaugural season
The Professional Women’s Hockey League, the new top-tier women’s league for ice hockey in North America, prioritised exposure in its media rights deals for 2024 as it seeks to develop strong viewership for forthcoming seasons.
Caf finances back on track after New World TV deal and beIN renewal
The Confederation of African Football completed a series of deals before Christmas which have put its precarious finances back on an even keel after several difficult years following the cancellation of its $1bn, 12-year contract with the Lagardère Sports agency.
Uefa and Fifa cash in on New World TV’s disruption of African market
Uefa and Fifa benefitted from the aggressive entry into the African sports-rights market of New World Television, the Togo-based pay-television operator, to enjoy strong uplifts for club competition and World Cup rights, respectively.
1190 Sports’ Peruvian football project suffers early losses
The Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) and its media rights agency partner, 1190 Sports, have emphasised the need for patience after the sheer costs involved in setting up a long-term media project were laid bare for all top-flight Liga 1 clubs to see.
Canal Plus-MultiChoice merger would cool super-heated African rights market
Sub-Saharan Africa has become the hottest sports-rights market in the world, but that dynamism could be brought to an abrupt halt if the proposed merger between France’s Canal Plus and South Africa’s MultiChoice goes ahead.
Pakistan Super League strikes increase for international rights
The Pakistan Super League secured an increase for its international rights despite political, economic and sporting instability at home and competition from other global T20 leagues.
World Table Tennis eyes post-pandemic bounce as key market China opens up
With China out of its post-pandemic lull and media rights deals expiring in all major markets this year, World Table Tennis is ready to roll out version 2.0 of its annual tour.
Sky fee flat in four-year renewal for the Open
Pay-television broadcaster Sky Sports agreed to a flat fee to maintain its golf dominance in the UK market and retain rights to the Open Championship for another four years.
Foxtel renews Cricket South Africa at slight uplift
Pay-television broadcaster Foxtel agreed to a slight increase on its fee for Cricket South Africa rights over the next three seasons.
The bundle is dead. Long live the bundle
The streaming platform that Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery will jointly launch later this year is, experts say, effectively a part-migration of the bundle from cable to streaming.
Mediapro mired in C$250m Canadian football litigation as CPL future uncertain
Mediapro faces a legal claim from Canadian Soccer Business amounting to C$250m ($186m/€172m) over the premature end to the agency’s 10-year contract for the production, broadcast and distribution of Canadian football.