Europe

Rugby league’s domestic Challenge Cup rights were renewed by the BBC last week, with the public-service broadcast paying a rights-fee increase of about 14 per cent on its previous deal.

UK pay-television broadcasters Sky and BT Sport have extended rights deals for coverage of the Scottish Professional Football League’s Premiership.

Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet has struck a deal to show coverage of this weekend’s matches from the Serie A and LaLiga top football divisions in Italy and Spain, while football-dedicated publication Tipsbladet has also acquired rights in Denmark.

UK horse racing pay-television broadcaster Racing UK has renewed its ties with production partner RaceTech.

International pay-television operator Eleven Sports Network has widened its reach in Poland by agreeing three-year carriage deals with East & West, City-Net and Gawex.

Six of the UK's top sports governing bodies have renewed their commitment to enable their events to be available on free-to-air television.

UK pay-television broadcaster Sky has locked down rights to all matches featuring the England national cricket team for the next two years after securing a deal for its tour of Bangladesh in 2016.

English Premier League executive director Bill Bush has criticised European Commission plans to remove geographical barriers to accessing digital content across member countries.

Norwegian public-service broadcaster NRK has acquired rights for the 2015 World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships and the 2016 World Chess Championship.
 

The North American NFL American football league has renewed a partnership with digital media service provider RR Media.

UK public-service broadcaster the BBC has agreed a two-year rights deal with American football league the NFL.

Armin Meier is to step down as managing director of InfrontRingier Sports & Entertainment Switzerland, the Infront Sports & Media agency’s 50-per-cent joint venture with Swiss media company Ringier.

French basic-tier broadcaster Ma Chaîne Sport has agreed a rights deal with the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

Pay-television channel Fight Sports has secured the rights to Floyd Mayweather Jr’s upcoming fight against Andre Berto in multiple territories across Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.

The English Football League has said it is considering introducing pay-per-view live streaming of its games for international fans.

Pay-television broadcaster beIN Media Group has acquired rights in France for the NFL American football league in North America.