Europe
Sky picks up Uefa Euro U-21, boxing rights
UK pay-television broadcaster Sky has acquired rights for the next three editions of the Uefa European Under-21 Championship, starting with this year’s event in Poland.
BT Sport adds 4K and VR in repeat of free-to-air Uefa finals initiative
UK pay-television broadcaster BT Sport has again elected to provide free coverage of this year’s Uefa Champions League and Europa League club football competitions on video-sharing website YouTube, while fans will also be able to experience the games in 4K ultra-high-definition and virtual reality.
Proximus secures Pro League rights deal
Belgian pay-television broadcaster Proximus has sealed a rights deal for the Pro League, the top division of domestic football.
Live streaming app launches for World Surfing Games
The International Surfing Association (ISA) has launched a new mobile application that will allow fans to stream coverage of the upcoming World Surfing Games.
Discovery linked as ECB launches rights tender
The England and Wales Cricket Board has launched its formal media rights sale process for international and domestic cricket for the five-year period spanning 2020 to 2024, with media and entertainment company Discovery Communications reportedly interested in the tender.
TV2 returns as Norwegian Handball Federation’s rights partner
Norwegian commercial and pay-television broadcaster TV2 has signed a five-season deal to replace international media company Discovery Communications as the rights partner of the Norwegian Handball Federation.
Saran Media picks up WWE rights
Turkish media group Saran Media has acquired rights to events operated by the WWE wrestling organisation.
Eurosport boosts cycling coverage with CA Technologies deal
International sports broadcaster Eurosport has agreed a partnership with software and solutions provider CA Technologies that has led to the introduction of a new second-screen app to enhance its cycling coverage.
SM-Liiga takes advantage as Telia makes first move into sport
Finland’s SM-Liiga defied expectations by substantially increasing the value of its media rights last week thanks to telco Telia’s entrance into the Finnish sports media-rights market.
Canal Plus pays up for F1, misses out on Champions League rights
Canal Plus’ loss of Champions League rights – announced late this week – is a blow to the broadcaster, softened slightly by its recent extension of Formula One rights.
ECB appoints law firm to aid tender process
The England and Wales Cricket Board has engaged law firm CMS to advise on its forthcoming media rights sale for all competitions for the period 2020-2024.
Watching Brief (Vol.155) UK Television Audiences Monday 24th April to Sunday 30th April
UK viewing audiences for the week between Monday 24th April and Sunday 30th April. We also include the month's most-watched programmes on Eurosport and across all pay-television broadcasters
Eredivisie extends international rights deal with IMG
The IMG agency has renewed its deal to market the international media rights to the Eredivisie, the top tier of club football in the Netherlands.
BT faces up to ‘challenging’ year as profits fall
UK telecommunications company BT, parent firm of pay-television broadcaster BT Sport, has reported a fall in its annual pre-tax profits of 19 per cent admitting it has faced a “challenging” year in the wake of an accounting scandal involving its Italian division.
MTG seals rights to English club football competitions
Modern Times Group, the multi-territory commercial and pay-television broadcaster, has struck its latest major football rights deal by reaching agreements for a host of English club competitions in the Nordic markets of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.
SFR Sport splashes out for exclusive control of Uefa club rights
French pay-television broadcaster SFR Sport has secured exclusive rights to the Uefa Champions League and Europa League club football competitions from the 2018-19 season, ousting rival operators beIN Sports and Canal Plus as the rights-holder.
Spain’s TVE picks up America’s Cup rights
Spanish public-service broadcaster TVE has secured rights in the country for the America’s Cup sailing event.
Telefónica to appeal CNMC decision
Telecommunications company Telefónica has vowed to appeal after being ordered by Spain’s competitions regulator, the CNMC, to compensate rivals Telecable, Total Channel and Vodafone for apparent discrepancies in the amounts they paid for wholesale distribution of football channels.