Analysis
EBU members paying Discovery more for less in ‘new game’
The sublicensing deals agreed this week by Discovery Communications with public-service broadcasters in Slovakia and Slovenia for the 2018 and 2020 Olympic Games fit the pattern of others agreed so far in Europe: public-service broadcasters paying higher fees for fewer rights than they had in 2014 and 2016.
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.
Perform still aiming for DAZN to be profitable within three years
The Perform Group believes the profitability of DAZN, is a realistic aim within three years in Germany, despite a current outlay of more than €45m ($50.9m) per year on sports 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.
The Sports Channel extends F1 deal amid host of renewals
The Sports Channel has renewed a host of rights in recent weeks as it seeks to solidify its position in the Israeli broadcast market.
Eurosport expands relationship with Wimbledon across Europe
International sports broadcaster Eurosport has greatly increased its spend on Wimbledon media rights across Europe following a host of new deals agreed in recent weeks.
BDO strikes biggest-ever deal in switch from BBC to Channel 4
Channel 4’s deal last month for British Darts Organisation media rights is the governing body’s largest ever.
LaLiga deals for Segunda and highlights rights close cycle
Spain’s LaLiga finalised the sale of its rights for 2016-17 to 2018-19 last month, taking its total domestic income over the cycle to at least €1,031.2m ($1,166.3m) per season.
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.
English FA international rights tender due in coming weeks
The English Football Association is set to tender its international rights in the coming weeks with rights available to bidders on a global basis, TV Sports Markets understands.
AFC doubles rights fee in four-year Thai renewal with BBTV
The value of Asian Football Confederation rights doubled in Thailand after a renewed deal with commercial broadcaster BBTV.
Eurosport recoups chunk of US Open fee in LeSports HK deal
International sports broadcaster Eurosport recovered a third of its spend on the 2016 US Open in Asia from a deal with LeSports in Hong Kong.
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.
Added inventory helps Uefa in Scandinavia
New inventory and strong broadcaster competition has seen the value of Uefa’s package of national team rights increase markedly in Scandinavia.
Chinese volleyball reaps rewards of hot local market
The Chinese Volleyball League is the latest domestic property to reap the rewards of two years of growth in the country’s sports market.
Australian Open betting rights sold
Sports and betting-related services company Sportradar has usurped rivals IMG and Perform to win Tennis Australia betting rights.
Sky pays small fee for CSL
UK pay-television broadcaster Sky picked up Chinese Super League rights last week for a fairly small rights-fee over the next two-and-a-half years.