Europe
F1 fee in Spain remains steady as Telefónica enhances exclusivity
Increased exclusivity encouraged telco Telefónica to maintain its fee to renew Formula One media rights in Spain this month despite a dearth of competition.
Stalemate ends as Fifa settles for less in tricky Russian market
Fifa’s decision not to push World Cup media-rights negotiations in Russia to the wire has produced a fee well below the governing body’s initial expectations – but has preserved its relationship with the country’s political leadership.
Cablenet makes its move with domestic Cypriot football rights
Telco Cablenet’s entry into the Cypriot sports-rights market will boost the revenues of First Division clubs when a new cycle begins at the start of the 2019-20 season.
Negotiations begin for new cycle of Greek Superleague rights
Domestic media rights to the Greek Superleague are back on the market after pay-television broadcaster Nova decided against activating a one-season extension to its current deal.
Discovery secures fee increase for 2018/2020 Games in Ukraine
Public-service broadcaster UA:PBC has acquired rights in Ukraine to the 2018 and 2020 Olympic Games at a considerable uplift on the cost of the 2014 and 2016 Games.
SFR to hold talks over carriage deals for sports channel
SFR is exploring possible carriage deals for its SFR Sport pay-television channel after rethinking its strategy, with chief executive Alain Weill confident of reaching agreements with operators ahead of the start of the 2018-19 football season.
Watching Brief (Vol.192) UK TV Audiences 1st to 7th January
Watching Brief (Vol.191) 2017 – Year in Review
Mediaset returns to Copa del Rey coverage
Spanish broadcaster Mediaset has agreed to resume coverage of the Copa del Rey domestic club football competition after reaching a fresh agreement with the Mediapro agency.
Europa League retains long-standing home in the Netherlands
Pay-television broadcaster Fox Sports has agreed a three-season extension to its rights deal for the Uefa Europa League club football competition in the Netherlands.
Nova retains Europa League rights
Czech commercial and pay-television broadcaster Nova has extended its rights deal for the Uefa Europa League club football competition.
Liga ACB expands into Iceland with Sport TV deal
Liga ACB, the top division of basketball in Spain, has secured coverage in Iceland for the first time under a new rights deal with broadcaster Sport TV.
Buyer sought for Serbian sports channel
Serbian sports channel SOS has been put up for sale after its owner, Dragisa Kovačević, said that the state has “no interest” in providing assistance.
Top media companies, Premier League initiate Singapore copyright case
Media companies Singtel, StarHub, Fox Networks Group and football’s English Premier League have teamed up to bring a legal case against two Android television box-sellers in Singapore who have been accused of “wilfully infringing” copyright.
At The Races extends Pegasus World Cup Invitational rights deal
Pay-television channel At The Races has renewed its deal for exclusive rights in the UK and Ireland to US horse-racing showpiece the Pegasus World Cup Invitational.
Eir Sport set to replace Sky as Pro14 partner – report
Irish pay-television broadcaster Eir Sport is set to oust rival Sky Sports as the domestic rights-holder of club rugby union competition the Pro14, according to The42 website.
Fight Network picks up UFC rights in Italy
International combat sports channel Fight Network has acquired rights in Italy for the Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts series.
Movistar Plus confirms F1 rights extension
Movistar Plus, the pay-television platform of Spanish telco Telefónica, has extended rights in the country for the Formula One motor-racing world championship.