Europe
Swiss regulator opens investigation into UPC’s ice hockey rights
The Swiss Competition Commission (Weko) has opened an investigation into the pay-television market for ice hockey in the country, stating there have been “indications” of antitrust violations by telecommunications company UPC.
Vivendi gains conditional EU green light for move for Telecom Italia
French media group Vivendi has secured European Union antitrust approval for its plan to gain control of Telecom Italia after the European Commission said it has agreed to sell the Italian telecommunications company’s majority stake in broadcasting services group Persidera.
France Télévisions picks up rights for Paris Masters, ATP World Tour Finals
Public-service broadcaster France Télévisions has bolstered its tennis coverage by acquiring rights to men’s ATP events the Paris Masters and World Tour Finals.
EBU appoints new director general
The European Broadcasting Union consortium of public-service broadcasters has appointed Noel Curran as its new director general.
YuppTV picks up Champions Trophy rights
Over-the-top content provider YuppTV has acquired live digital rights for the International Cricket Council’s upcoming Champions Trophy event.
Eurosport to set first with coverage of Wimbledon qualifiers
International sports broadcaster Eurosport has stepped up its Wimbledon coverage by acquiring rights to the qualifiers for this year’s edition of the tennis grand slam.
Pro12 bolsters video content strategy with Tellyo partnership
Social video production, editing and sharing platform Tellyo has entered into a partnership with rugby union league the Pro12.
CAA Eleven launches raft of fresh tenders for Uefa national team properties
The CAA Eleven agency has launched new tenders in 13 markets for rights to Uefa national team properties.
Menken: Eleven approach will work in difficult Italian market
Eleven Sports Network said this week its strategy of targeting second-tier rights in larger markets, and running a ‘lean and mean’ business operation, would succeed in Italy, despite the country’s pay-television market having proved difficult for other players.
Uefa gets steady increase from MTG for Champions League
Modern Times Group paid an increase of about 16 per cent to maintain its grip on Uefa Champions League rights across Scandinavia earlier this month.
Euroleague to test product in tricky French and Italian markets
The Euroleague will face a litmus test for its new product this summer as it takes its media rights to market in France and Italy – two markets from which the competition is desperate to earn greater revenue.
Lega Serie A issues new domestic rights tender
Lega Serie A, the governing body of the top division of Italian football, has issued a domestic rights tender for the three seasons from 2018-19 to 2020-21.
Channel One and Match TV secure Confederations Cup rights – report
Russian state-controlled commercial broadcaster Channel One and privately-held broadcaster Match TV have secured rights to the forthcoming Fifa Confederations Cup national team football tournament, according to Sport-Express.
Hammer Series to debut with live streaming on Facebook, YouTube
The Hammer Series, a new cycling event created by the Infront Sports & Media agency and the Velon collective body of pro cycling teams, will be live streamed for free via social media platform Facebook and video-sharing website YouTube when it launches next month.
BBC picks up Champions Trophy rights
UK public-service broadcaster the BBC has acquired highlights rights to the International Cricket Council’s upcoming Champions Trophy event.
Sky to show Premier League Asia Trophy
UK pay-television broadcaster Sky has acquired rights to the Premier League Asia Trophy pre-season football tournament.
Watching Brief (Vol.157) UK Television Audiences Monday 8th May to Sunday 14th May
UK viewing audiences for the week between Monday 8th May and Sunday 14th May. We also include a round-up of available audiences for this season's European Rugby Challenge Cup.
Watching Brief Vol.
Broadcasters to share Swedish ice hockey rights
Modern Times Group, the multi-territory commercial and pay-television broadcaster, has reached an agreement with public-service broadcaster SVT to share rights in Sweden to two major ice hockey competitions for the period spanning 2018 to 2023.