Global

Agon, the organiser and commercial rights-holder of the World Chess Championship cycle, has launched legal action against four websites for “blatantly flouting” restrictions on the live broadcasting of the games and moves at the ongoing World Chess Candidates tournament in Moscow, Russia.

Digital sports media content company Whistle Sports has closed its latest round of Series C funding having secured investment from European broadcast group Sky and the NBC Sports Ventures division of US media group NBCUniversal.

The MP & Silva agency has entered into a strategic partnership with live streaming solutions provider Simplestream.

The Lagardère Sports and Entertainment division of media conglomerate Lagardère has reported a substantial rise in turnover and operating profit for its 2015 financial year, fuelled by major events on the football calendar.

The International Cricket Council has revealed plans for expanded live broadcast coverage of its Women’s World Twenty20 national team tournament, which will take place in India from March 15 to April 3.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship bolstered its UFC Fight Pass OTT subscription service last month, maintaining its position as the world’s most content-rich combat channel.

Interview with Russell Wolff, executive vice-president, ESPN international, on the media company’s partnership with internet operator Tencent in China.

The IMG agency has agreed a two-season deal for the global television rights to the Chinese Super League, the top tier of domestic football in the country.

Internet company Yahoo has launched a new service dedicated to coverage of major eSports events around the world.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has agreed an exclusive partnership with the IMG agency to deliver extra exposure for its new Women’s WorldTour.

The World Karate Federation has appointed International Sports Broadcasting as the host broadcaster and exclusive media-rights sales agency for two of its key properties.

Media and entertainment company Discovery Communications, which owns pan-European sports broadcaster Eurosport, has appointed Michael Lang to the new position of executive vice-president of international development and digital.

United World Wrestling, the sport’s global governing body, has announced that it will stream live coverage of two upcoming events over the coming days following a partnership with the FloWrestling digital media service.

The MP & Silva agency has extended its global media rights distribution contract for the World Baseball Classic, with its deal for the 2017 edition of the national team competition including the Canadian market for the first time.

Bringing Australian Open media-rights sales in-house was a natural move in response to market demands for tailored coverage, Tennis Australia told TV Sports Markets this week.