Analysis
Premier League value falls in China as new market reality kicks in
The value of the English Premier League’s streaming rights in China has fallen by more than 80 per cent as the country’s sports rights market continues to deflate.
Premier League benefits from white-hot Russian competition
Match TV has doubled down on its aggressive sports rights acquisition strategy, paying a stratospheric increase to reclaim English Premier League rights in Russia.
Uefa club rights value falls as Exxen enters Turkish sports market
The continued depreciation of the Turkish lira, the upcoming sale of Süper Lig rights and a dearth of competition allowed Acun Medya’s Exxen streaming platform to acquire Uefa club competition rights at a reduced rate.
Migu and iQiyi step up as European football values dive in China
As the fallout continues from the collapse of PP Sports, the media rights value of major European football properties in China has fallen sharply in new deals agreed ahead of the 2021-22 season
Streaming wars help revive Australian market as Nine and Ten launch new services
An outbreak of ‘streaming wars’ in Australia has injected life into a sports media rights market that this time last year looked threatened by a sharp decline.
Foxtel cements motorsport supremacy with MotoGP, WorldSBK deals
Foxtel’s deals for exclusive rights to MotoGP and the Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) motorcycling series demonstrate its eagerness to be seen as the home of motorsport in Australia.
Australia’s National Basketball League nets record fee in new deals
Australian basketball the latest to prosper in vibrant rights market as ESPN teams up with Foxtel and News Corp to deliver first-ever significant fee for league.
United Rugby Championship increases exposure and revenue from 2021-22
The United Rugby Championship will increase its annual media rights income by about 30 per cent in its new four-season media rights cycle, despite a dramatic shift toward free-to-air broadcasters in key markets.
Wimbledon secures its future with long-term Disney, BBC renewals
Both deals were completed in private negotiations without extensive discussions with other broadcasters in the respective territories.
Blast looks to convert esports viewership records into revenue in 2022
The company staged the most-watched CS:GO matches of all time in January this year, twice exceeding the existing record during its Blast Premier Global Final.
Paramount+ launch helps Football Australia recover from Foxtel exit
Australia’s burgeoning sports streaming market benefitted another domestic rights-holder last month as Football Australia scored a major deal with media group Ten.
RMC Sport lands Europa League rights at knock-down price
RMC Sport’s owner, telco Altice, has backtracked on its decision last year to retreat from the French sports-rights market.
Building scale a daunting challenge for European pay-TV and OTT operators
As media giants jostle for position in an increasingly competitive European market, Frank Dunne explores the state of the pay-television industry in 2021.
Uefa nets increase in Australia as streaming competition ramps up
Uefa benefits from rising competition between streaming platforms in Australia, securing an increase in the value of its club competition rights.
Discovery’s renewal for Le Mans boosted by return of big manufacturers
Discovery’s five-year-renewal for media rights to the FIA World Endurance Championship, which includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans, has seen a slight fee uplift despite challenging pandemic-related economic conditions.
FanCode wins over ECB with long-term Hundred investment
FanCode’s long-term commitment to The Hundred appealed to the ECB, who are keen to grow The Hundred in what is their most important territory outside of the UK.
Strong competition serves up French Open rights boost in Europe
The Fédération Française de Tennis has increased the value of its European media rights by nearly 20 per cent in its pan-continental deal with US media giant Discovery, driven by strong competition for the rights.
Cash-strapped Rai powerless to stop Coppa Italia loss to Mediaset
Mounting debts and a lack of flexibility hampered Rai’s bid to retain Coppa Italia rights from 2021-22, leaving Italy’s public-service broadcaster without live, premium club football for at least the next three seasons.