Europe
BBL extends with main partner Deutsche Telekom
German telco Deutsche Telekom has agreed a five-season extension to its role as the main rights partner of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL), the top division of the sport in Germany.
Bolloré held by police amid corruption case
French billionaire Vincent Bolloré, who last week stepped down as chairman of media giant Vivendi, is being questioned by police as part of an investigation into allegedly corrupt business practices in Africa, it emerged today (Tuesday).
Sky offloads remaining stake in betting operator
Sky, one of Europe’s leading pay-television sports broadcasters, has agreed to sell its 20-per-cent stake in the online betting and gaming business, Sky Betting & Gaming, to the Stars Group, a Canadian company that specialises in online gaming.
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.
Eleven retains FA Cup rights in Poland
International sports broadcaster Eleven Sports has extended a deal for the rights in Poland to the English FA Cup club football knockout competition.
LFP set to launch Ligue 1 rights tender
The Ligue de Football Professionnel, which operates the French football league, will launch a new domestic broadcast rights tender before the summer, according to multiple reports.
Lega puts Coppa Italia rights on the market
Lega Serie A has launched a media rights-sales process covering the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana club football competitions in Italy.
Sky to rebrand channel for Players Championship
UK pay-television broadcaster Sky has said it will rebrand its golf channel to highlight its coverage of the Players Championship, the flagship event on the PGA Tour.
DFB lands ‘significant increase’ from new Pokal rights deals
The German Football Association (DFB) has sealed rights deals for its domestic cup competition, the DFB-Pokal, with public-service broadcaster ARD, pay-television broadcaster Sky, sports broadcaster Sport1 and media company Axel Springer.
Eurosport ventures into apparel market
International sports broadcaster Eurosport has partnered with sportswear manufacturer Tenn Outdoors to launch a range of technical cycling clothing for the UK market.
SRG commits to Formula E ahead of Zurich E-Prix
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG has acquired rights to Formula E as the electric car-racing series prepares to return motor racing to the country for the first time in over six decades.
Kerber becomes latest tennis streaming star
Germany’s Angelique Kerber has become the latest tennis player to strike a deal to stream her matches live via social media platform Facebook.
Amazon seals US Open rights deal
The United States Tennis Association has confirmed a five-year deal with Amazon that grants the internet company exclusive live rights in the UK and Ireland to the US Open grand slam tournament.
Bollorés exchange control of Vivendi
Yannick Bolloré will take over as the new chairman of French media company Vivendi after his father, Vincent Bolloré, announced he would step down from the position.
Euroleague signs digital partnership in key Lithuanian market
Euroleague Basketball has signed a digital media partnership with Lithuanian platform 15min.lt.
Watching Brief (Vol.205) UK TV Audiences 2nd to 8th April
Tebas spells out LaLiga rights goals, questions raised over Sky deal
LaLiga president Javier Tebas has declared revenue goals for the top division of Spanish football’s next rights package and said it will stage matches outside its home market in the next two seasons, as UK rights-holder Sky is reportedly facing renewed pressure to retain its long-running contract.
Lega Serie B launches rights tender
Lega Serie B, the governing body of the second tier of Italian football, has launched a tender process for the sale of its next set of broadcast rights.