Italian Serie A
Features
IMG salvages Serie A exposure in Brazil but income drastically reduced
IMG has found new homes for the 2020-21 Serie A rights in Brazil after DAZN cancelled its deal. But the replacement deals will bring in significantly lower revenue, SportBusiness Media understands.
Infront questions private equity as agency’s primacy in football threatened
The Infront agency has called into question the value for sports bodies of entering partnerships with private equity companies, arguing that such deals result in a “loss of control”.
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.
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.
FREE | The Role of Agencies in the Media Market Report, 2020
In the latest interactive monthly data report, SportBusiness Media analyses the role of agencies in the media-rights market globally.
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.
Middle East and Africa market report, 2020
In the latest interactive monthly data report, SportBusiness Media analyses the media-rights landscape in the Middle East and Africa.
IMG ends Strive experiment in Sweden with LaLiga, Serie A, MLS sale to Bonnier
The IMG agency has sealed a deal for rights to Spain’s LaLiga, Italy’s Serie A and the US’ Major League Soccer in Sweden with media group Bonnier. The deal signals the end of its OTT experiment in the country as it had previously been broadcasting the properties on its Strive streaming platform.
Mediapro happy to be Serie A stalking horse, but clubs may need convincing
The Mediapro agency’s offer for the domestic media rights to Serie A for the next two cycles, covering the six seasons from 2021-22 to 2026-27, is a plan B for the league in case it is unable to sell its rights in a competitive tender. The offer is the same as that made by the Spanish production house for the current cycle – an offer accepted by the clubs last year but later rejected.
IMG hopes of emerging unscathed from Serie A antitrust probe hang in the balance
The Italian competition authority’s investigation into the sale of rights for Serie A is ostensibly a disaster for MP & Silva and B4 and a let-off for IMG. But MP & Silva and B4 are no longer active and IMG could yet face a major problem. The agency could be hit with a substantial damages claim by the league for lost earnings.
IMG launches €50m damages claim against Serie A over free Rai coverage in Latin America
The IMG agency has initiated a damages claim against the Italian football league, Lega Serie A, for €50m ($57m).
ESPN pays more to secure Serie A and Ligue 1 in Latin America
ESPN has paid a premium to secure Serie A and Ligue 1 rights in Latin America and the Caribbean, boosting its European football portfolio after missing out on the English Premier League
Eleven’s difficulties in the UK hit IMG, MMA promotions
The expected collapse of Eleven Sports’ UK business has pushed IMG back to square one in its bid to stir up competition in the country and ruined the best-laid plans of multiple mixed martial arts promotions.
DAZN embarks on spending spree in Brazil, but Latin America launch halted
DAZN will pay $30m per year for the Copa Sudamericana in Brazil
Streaming service to pay about $10m per season for Serie A; $5m per season for Ligue 1
Eleven Sports’ ‘3pm blackout’ challenge could see rule scrapped
Eleven Sports’ decision to break one of the golden rules of UK sports broadcasting – the ‘3pm blackout’ – has created a legal quandary that could result in it being scrapped altogether.
Eleve
Andrea Radrizzani, owner, Eleven Sports
Interview with Andrea Radrizzani, owner of Eleven Sports, on the reasons behind the broadcaster's decision to break the UK's '3pm' blackout rule
IMG heading for loss on Serie A despite big increases in most key territories
• IMG has secured big increases in most major markets for Serie A but is still likely to lose money
• Agency was given discount for favouring visibility over price in US in ESPN / beIN face-off
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CCTV’s new digital strategy complicates renewal talks for Champions League, Bundesliga and Serie A
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV is in discussions to renew rights to three of its most important football properties: the Uefa Champions League, Germany’s Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A.
ESPN doubles down on football to bolster ESPN+ offering
ESPN's deal with IMG for rights to Serie A and the FA Cup has shown how US sports broadcasters are desperate not to be left without premium European football on their platforms.