Global

Interview with Michael Mellor, head of football at IMG, on the agency’s rights-distribution deal for the Chinese Super League.

Energy drinks giant Red Bull has delayed plans to launch a second media platform, according to Salzburger Nachrichten.

Modern Times Group, the multi-territory commercial and pay-television broadcaster, has unveiled a number of management changes, including the promotion of Peter Nørrelund to executive vice-president and chief executive of its sports division, MTG Sport.

World Rowing (Fisa) has reported a 43-per-cent year-on-year increase in total television hours covering its 2015 World Rowing Championships.

Sports technology company Stats has become the latest leading player from the industry to invest in virtual reality by agreeing a partnership with Virtually Live.

Sports news video agency SNTV has launched a new division which will seek to help brands create authentic and relevant sports news video to achieve their content marketing goals.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has sealed a rights distribution deal with Lagardère Sports, the sports marketing division of conglomerate Lagardère.

International media company Discovery Communications has formed a new global advertising sales division entitled One Discovery World.

The European Broadcasting Union consortium of public-service broadcasters has agreed a rights deal with the Union Européenne de Cyclisme, the sport’s European governing body, to cover the European Cycling Championships from this year onwards.

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.