Americas

Tom Wheeler, the chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission, has recommended that the regulator should approve the proposed merger of Charter Communications and fellow pay-television operator Time Warner Cable.

The Fox Sports division of US network Fox has signed a multimedia rights deal with the athletics division of Michigan State University.

Brazilian pay-television broadcaster Bandsports has acquired rights to the Chinese Super League, the top division of club football in the country.

US telecommunications company Verizon is the leading contender to acquire internet company Yahoo’s online business following the closure of the first round of bidding, according to multiple reports.

The Fox Sports division of US network Fox is reportedly close to acquiring media rights for the collegiate sports championships of the Big Ten Conference, a deal that would signal the end of sports broadcaster ESPN’s current agreement for the complete rights package.

US college Arizona State has settled its long-running dispute with the IMG College agency over the multimedia rights contract that previously existed between the two parties.

The Walt Disney media company is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire an equity stake in BAM Tech, the video technology business of MLB Advanced Media, the interactive media and internet company of Major League Baseball.

Ponte Preta has become the latest Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club to formally accept the offer submitted by sports broadcaster Esporte Interativo for the pay-television rights to the top division of Brazilian football.

Canadian pay-television sports broadcaster TSN has expanded its rights partnership with Canada Soccer, the governing body of the sport in the country.

The Fox Sports division of US network Fox has agreed a one-season extension to its rights deal with the National Women’s Soccer League, the top division of women’s football in the United States.

The Professional Rugby Organization has agreed rights deals with North American pay-television broadcaster One World Sports and US media company AOL for the launch of its new Pro Rugby league.

The World Flying Disc Federation has confirmed that US pay-television broadcaster CBS Sports Network will provide coverage of this year’s World Ultimate Championships.

Colombian commercial broadcaster RCN has acquired rights to the Copa America Centenario, the special edition of the national team football tournament which is being hosted by the United States later this year.

The CBS network and pay-television broadcaster Turner Broadcasting System have extended rights for the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division 1 men’s basketball championship, also known as March Madness.

The Brazilian Confederation of Rugby (CBRu) has agreed a rights deal with commercial broadcaster RedeTV that will lead to rugby union being granted free-to-air exposure in the country for the first time.

Outfront Media Sports, the US marketing and media company that was previously known as CBS Collegiate Sports Properties and operated as part of the CBS network, has extended its multimedia rights deal with the athletics division of Louisiana State University.