Australia

Irish public-service broadcaster RTÉ, pay-television broadcasters Sky Sports and Setanta Sports, and Irish-language free-to-air broadcaster TG4 have been awarded rights for the Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland, while commercial broadcaster Seven has acquired rights in Australia.

The Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (Astra) pay-television body has submitted a new anti-siphoning proposal to the federal government in an effort to wrest control of sporting rights in the country from free-to-air broadcasters, according to the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

Australian sports rights figurehead Ian Frykberg has passed away at the age of 68.

Cypriot pay-television broadcaster Lumiere Television and the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority, CyTA, are to collaborate on establishing a new sports channel, according to the Cyprus Mail newspaper.

Australian free-to-air channel NITV, which is operated by public-service broadcaster SBS, has acquired rights for the ANZ Championship, the top netball division in Australia and New Zealand.

Australian public-service broadcaster ABC has acquired media rights for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic winter Games.

Australian commercial broadcaster Nine has acquired media rights for the US Major League Baseball season-opening games in Australia between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Australian pay-television broadcaster Fox Sports has been appointed as the official broadcaster of the new club knockout cup competition launched by Football Federation Australia.

International Olympic Committee vice-president John Coates has said that the organisation is aiming to sell the media rights for the next three Olympic Games as a single package in Australia, according to the Fox Sports news website.

Free-to-air broadcaster Maori TV has acquired rights for the 2014 ANZ Championship, the top-tier netball tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

Australian commercial broadcaster Channel Nine and pay-television broadcaster Fox Sports have announced that they would consider supporting a summer rugby league ‘nines’ competition, according to the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

Pay-television broadcaster Fox Sports has acquired rights in Australia for the US Masters golf event, according to the Australian newspaper.

Australian commercial broadcaster Seven Network has acquired media rights for the US Masters golf event, according to the Australian newspaper.

Digital free-to-air channel Sommet Sports and pay-television broadcaster Sky New Zealand have acquired rights in the country for the Australian Football League (AFL), the top division of Aussie rules in Australia.

UK pay-television broadcaster Premier Sports has acquired rights for the inaugural National Rugby League Auckland Nines competition.