Europe

The European Commission has accepted and legally ratified proposals suggested by Paramount relating to the film studio’s insistence on geoblocking measures for certain services offered by UK pay-television broadcaster Sky - a move that could have repercussions for the sports media-rights industry.

French media group Vivendi has revealed a “more ambitious” offer in its bid to acquire the Mediaset Premium pay-television operation of media company Mediaset, one of the leading sports broadcasters in Italy.

International sports broadcaster Eleven Sports Network has agreed a multi-year deal for rights in Belgium to Spanish cycling race the Vuelta a Burgos, while it has signed another carriage deal in the country.

UK pay-television broadcaster Sky has acquired rights to club football competition the Chinese Super League.

French digital-terrestrial television channel L’Équipe 21 has agreed a one-season extension to its rights deal with the French Ice Hockey Federation (FFHG).

German pay-television broadcaster Sky Deutschland will launch an Ultra HD channel later this year and has also revamped its OTT platform to include a dedicated sports service.

UK pay-television broadcaster Sky is set to offer free fibre broadband to its Sky Sports customers, according to Sky TV’s director of brand Luke Bradley-Jones.

The Mediaset Premium pay-television service of Italian commercial broadcaster Mediaset has acquired exclusive rights in the country to the 35th edition of sailing’s America’s Cup.

A group of Italian MPs from the coalition government has submitted an amendment to the Melandri Law which would require one live Serie A match per week to be shown on free-to-air television.

Telco UPC this week told TV Sports Markets its deal for media rights to the top Swiss ice hockey league would bring “a breath of fresh air to the market”.

The English Premier League this week finalised a deal with Russian broadcaster Match TV which will see its value in the country fall by about 57 per cent.

The French football league last month agreed deals for beIN Sports and Canal Plus to show its matches in public places, increasing fees by 15 per cent.

Beleaguered French pay-television broadcaster Canal Plus has retained a host of golf properties and added third-tier domestic football rights in recent weeks as it seeks to stem subscriber losses.

Italian premium sports channel Fox Sports acquired rights in the country to two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations in a deal with the Lagardère Sports and Entertainment agency.

International sports broadcaster Eurosport has acquired rights in the UK to the forthcoming cricket series between Sri Lanka and Australia.

Swedish cable operator Com Hem has agreed a new multi-year deal with Modern Times Group for carriage of the multi-territory commercial and pay-television broadcaster’s channels.