Europe
UFC pairs up with Polsat to take on local rival in Polish market
The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s new deal in Poland is aimed at elevating its brand in the country, which has long been dominated by local promotion KSW.
Martin Lewandowski, director general, KSW
Polish MMA promotion KSW is entering the 15th year of its partnership with commercial and pay-television broadcaster Polsat – a key reason for its enduring popularity in the country. Martin Lewandowski speaks to TV Sports Markets about the promotion's past, present and future, and how it can remain number one despite the increasing presence of the UFC in Poland.
LaLiga grows in Greece but Bundesliga fee stays steady
Rights in Greece to Spain’s LaLiga have increased in value by about 50 per cent, while German Bundesliga rights have stayed flat in deals this month with Asset Ogilvy and Cosmote respectively.
Greek Superleague to hold meeting after Forthnet decision
The Greek Superleague has said it will hold a meeting on February 20 after telco Forthnet, owner of pay-television broadcast Nova, opted for an early termination of its rights deal for the top division of domestic football.
Spanish regulator closes probe into Mediapro business practices
Spain’s anti-trust regulator, the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y La Competencia (CNMC), has closed an investigation into Mediapro in relation to possible anti-competitive practices concerning the beIN Sports and beIN LaLiga pay-television channels marketed by the agency.
Ukraine’s public-service broadcaster refuses to cover World Cup
Ukrainian public-service broadcaster UA:PBC has said it will not broadcast the 2018 Fifa World Cup, despite holding rights to the national team football tournament.
Premier League’s domestic value slips as Sky retains majority of rights
UK pay-television broadcaster Sky has retained the bulk of live domestic rights to the English Premier League, with the award of contracts signifying a reversal in the trend of sky-rocketing fees from recent tenders, albeit with two packages left on the table.
Orient Hontai seals deal for Mediapro parent company
Chinese investment fund Orient Hontai has ratified a deal to acquire a controlling stake in Imagina, the parent company of the Mediapro agency, according to Spanish newspaper El Confidencial.
Asset OgilvyEntertainment extends LaLiga rights in Greece, Cyprus
The Asset OgilvyEntertainment agency has extended its agreement for broadcast rights in Greece and Cyprus to LaLiga, the top division of Spanish club football.
TDC steps back from MTG takeover deal
Danish telco TDC has today (Monday) said it intends to exit a proposed deal to take over multi-territory commercial and pay-television company Modern Times Group’s broadcasting and entertainment division after being approached with a takeover offer for its own business.
Eurosport signs Facebook partnership for Pyeongchang 2018
International sports broadcaster Eurosport has linked up with social media platform Facebook in a move designed to enhance its digital coverage of the 2018 winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Quest to dislodge Channel Five as EFL highlights home
UK DTT channel Quest has dislodged commercial broadcaster Channel Five as the free-to-air highlights rights-holder for the English Football League, which operates the three divisions of football below the top-tier Premier League, according to the Daily Mail newspaper.
Sky holds negotiations over SPFL rights extension
UK pay-television broadcaster Sky has held “extremely positive” talks to extend its rights deal with the Scottish Professional Football League, according to the Daily Express.
Imagen upgrades video management platform
UK production company Imagen has enhanced its video management platform by adding live capture and social media publishing capabilities to the service.
Premier League rights battle reaches deadline day
Broadcasters and media companies have today (Friday) entered their initial offers for rights to the Premier League, the top division of English club football.
Highlight secures majority control of Constantin Medien
Highlight Communications, backed by Lucerne-based Studhalter Investment, has secured a majority stake in German media company Constantin Medien.
Sport TV rallies behind VAR with innovative initiative
Portuguese pay-television broadcaster Sport TV has revealed details of an innovative scheme designed to raise awareness of the video assistant referee system in the Primeira Liga, the top division of domestic football.