Europe
UK’s ‘crown jewels’ list set to be protected
The UK’s so-called ‘crown jewels’ list that reserves certain sporting events for free-to-air coverage is set to be protected by changes to the legislation, according to the government.
Sky ‘in advanced talks’ to acquire Mediaset Premium
European pay-television broadcaster Sky is in advanced talks with Mediaset to acquire the Italian media group’s Premium pay-television service, according to a report in Il Sole 24 Ore.
‘Aggressive’ Pro League tender could alienate incumbents
Belgium’s three leading pay-television operators are considering a legal challenge to the Pro League’s domestic tender process on the grounds it discriminates against them and may be anti-competitive.
BBC shores up sports-rights portfolio with two early deals
UK public-service broadcaster the BBC has renewed rights to two properties in the last month as it seeks to protect its sports-rights portfolio well into the future.
Digiturk mulls over free-to-air channel as Saran is made to wait
BeIN Media Group, which owns Turkish pay-television operator Digiturk, is considering opening its own free-to-air sports channel in the country.
SRG sees off new competitors for Swiss national team rights
Swiss public-service broadcaster SRG renewed rights to Uefa national team competitions late last month despite facing a rare challenge for premium sport from rival free-to-air broadcasters.
TVP signs off on large Olympics increase despite budget woes
Polish public-service broadcaster TVP has paid an increase of over 40 per cent to acquire rights to the 2018 and 2020 Olympic Games from media group Discovery Communications.
LaLiga and Mediapro to show Friday night games on Facebook
LaLiga, the organising body of Spanish club football, and the Mediapro agency have today (Friday) unveiled an agreement that will result in Friday night games from the top division being streamed live and free of charge via social media platform Facebook in Spain.
Premier League hails latest victory in piracy battle
Football’s English Premier League has claimed the latest win in its ongoing battle against piracy of its broadcasts with three suppliers of pre-loaded Internet Protocol TV boxes ordered to pay a total of £267,000 (€310,000/$332,000) by the courts for infringing copyright.
EFL engages advisers to aid rights strategy
The English Football League, which operates the three divisions below the top-tier Premier League, has appointed London-based Oliver & Ohlbaum as its domestic broadcast adviser.
United confirms MUTV app launch
English Premier League football club Manchester United has launched a subscription-based application that will allow its in-house television channel, MUTV, to be available worldwide.
CAA Eleven launches latest set of Uefa rights tenders
The CAA Eleven agency has launched tenders in six markets for rights to Uefa national team football properties.
Watching Brief (Vol.143) UK Television Audiences Monday 30th January to Sunday 5th February
UK viewing audiences for the week between Monday 30th January and Sunday 5th February, plus a review of January's audiences on free-to-air television.
Watching Brief Vol. 143
Eleven Sports scores Bundesliga rights in Poland
International sports broadcaster Eleven Sports Network has acquired rights in Poland for the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga, the top two divisions of club football in Germany.
Liberty Global hails European results
The European division of media company Liberty Global has posted an 18.1-per-cent increase in operating income to $2.482bn (€2.33bn) on the back of a 24.5-per-cent rise in subscribers to 946,100 in the 2016 financial year.
Eleven expands MMA portfolio with Cage Warriors
International sports broadcaster Eleven Sports Network has acquired rights for the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship mixed martial arts series.
BBC calls for update to ‘crown jewels’ legislation
UK public-service broadcaster the BBC has called on the government to update media law to reflect the modern age as it warned it may lose rights to major sporting events “by the back door”.
EHF launches Snapchat show for Champions League
The European Handball Federation has launched a new magazine show on social media platform Snapchat for its Champions League club competition.