Asia
World Cup rights deal signed in Afghanistan
Afghan media group Ariana Television Network has extended its rights deal for the Fifa World Cup by acquiring rights to this year’s edition of the national team football tournament in Russia.
Singtel links up with One Championship
The One Championship mixed martial arts series has agreed a deal with Singapore-based telco Singtel that will allow fans to access content on their mobile devices.
Indian ministry issues Doordarshan sports ruling
India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a notice which mandates that all television channels offering live sport that is deemed to be of national importance display a ticker that notifies the viewer if the same event is available via public-service broadcaster Doordarshan.
Infront invests in Copa90
The Infront agency has invested in London-based digital media company Copa90, according to the Financial Times.
World Cup rights deal secured in Thailand
Free-to-air television channels True4U, Amarin TV and Channel 5 have secured rights in Thailand to national team football tournament the 2018 Fifa World Cup.
WTCR signs Chinese rights deal
Chinese streaming service QIE Live has acquired rights to the newly-formed World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) motor-racing series.
NBA signs digital partnership with Perform
North American basketball league the NBA has today (Thursday) signed a multi-year partnership with Perform that will see the digital sports content and media group manage the organisation’s official websites in more than 15 international markets.
Singapore operators team up for World Cup rights deal
Telco Singtel has partnered with media companies StarHub and Mediacorp to provide coverage in Singapore of this summer’s Fifa World Cup in Russia.
AMI returns as LaLiga rights partner
The Advisers Media International agency has acquired rights to LaLiga, the top division of Spanish club football, in various markets in Europe and Asia.
Saran Media retains World Cup rights
The Saran Media agency has acquired exclusive broadcast rights to the 2018 Fifa World Cup national team football tournament for the territories of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
BCCI defies expectations as Star takes full control of the market
Fierce competition helped the Board of Control for Cricket in India earn a substantial increase in the value of its global media rights last week.
Sina SVP: ‘Mass-participation events crucial to our survival’
Sina Sports is aiming to grow its mass-participation events to make up for its decision not to compete for premium sports rights, Sina’s senior vice president has told TV Sports Markets.
Tencent steps in to take MLB and complete set of US major leagues
Major League Baseball has secured an uplift in the value of its media rights in China despite the early termination of its deal with LeSports.
F1 broadens Chinese reach in time for Shanghai race weekend
The Formula One motor-racing championship has widened its broadcast reach in China for this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix through three new rights deals.
Indonesian rights deal signed for AFF Football Championship
Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia (RCTI) has acquired rights in its home country for the AFF Football Championship, a national team tournament organised by the Asean Football Federation.
Snapchat, Netflix engage with Indian Premier League
Social media platform Snapchat and online streaming service Netflix have entered the Indian Premier League through partnerships with teams in the Twenty20 cricket tournament.
Facebook Live coverage to continue for World Snooker Championship
Social media platform Facebook has agreed a deal to stream the World Snooker Championship across the Americas and the Indian sub-continent for the second consecutive year.
Formula One signs rights deals for European, Asian markets
The Formula One motor-racing championship has struck new rights deals with the Advisers Media International and Saran Media agencies covering multiple markets in Europe and Asia.