France

Late kick-offs work, at least for broadcasters of the Six Nations tournament in France and the UK.  And they would like more of them.

Surprise within industry at tight timeline and offer of one-tournament deal only

Football’s Euro 2004 championship was a big hit with television audiences across Europe.

The French football league said this week that it would have no qualms about awarding all its commercial rights to a single company when it puts the rights out to tender in October.

French sports minister Jean-François Lamour is to issue a decree allowing the French football league to sell its rights exclusively to one bidder.

Football: The English Football Association agreed a deal with sports agency Sportfive for second-party rights for England’ home friendly internationals, giving Sportfive the rights for selling to broadcasters i…

Also: UPC get Premier League rights in the Netherlands, Fox Sports win in the United States

Broadcasters able to outgun the agencies in head-to-head competition, helping the Premier League bring in hugely increased revenue

Football: English football’s Premier League began the sales for its next round of international television rights, covering the three-year period from 2004-05 to 2006-07). 

But failure of Gioco Calcio, with latest Serie A defections to Sky Italia, calls into question how serious an alternative league channels are

New American private-equity owner has the financial muscle to back bids for top football, but does it have the will?

Rights sales process up and running with auctions in different territories

Rugby Union:  The BBC extended its deal for rugby union’s Six Nations Championship for a further four years, from 2006 to 2009.  The deal includes radio, television and internet rights.  T

Huge difference in valuations indicate that a deal with ARD and ZDF for all 40 matches is unlikely

Government decree to pave way for Canal Plus bid

Football: German sports agency Infront did not take-up its €595m (£412m) option for the Deutsche Fussball Liga rights for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons, failing to reach agreement over price. 

Football: French pay-broadcaster Canal Plus acquired the exclusive live rights and a highlights package for the French football league in a three-year deal

French pay-broadcaster Canal Plus is considering launching a legal challenge to TF1’s controversial one-year extension of a deal for French football internationals.