North America
US boxing landscape transformed by new deals, but broadcasters more cautious than advertised
A whirlwind six months for US boxing have seen five major media-rights deals agreed from May to October this year, setting up a four-way battle for supremacy between platforms from 2019 onward
Facebook deal a success, says MLB
Michael Treanor, Major League Baseball’s producer of live events, has insisted the league’s partnership with social media company Facebook has been a success despite mixed reactions to the deal.
DAZN picks up rights to Usyk v Bellew
Live and on-demand sport streaming service DAZN has acquired rights in a host of markets to this weekend’s undisputed cruiserweight boxing clash between champion Oleksandr Usyk and former world champion Tony Bell…
ESPN+ to be led by Wolff
Media group Disney has named Russell Wolff as executive vice-president and general manager of ESPN+, its direct-to-consumer video service which launched in April
ESPN extends commitment to New York Marathon
New York Road Runners, organiser of the New York City Marathon, has extended its rights deals with US sports broadcaster ESPN and local partner WABC-TV
IBU strikes partnership with NBC Sports
The International Biathlon Union has struck a four-year rights deal with the NBC Sports division of US media company NBCUniversal
Infront secures latest winter sports partnership renewal
The Infront agency has struck its second partnership extension with a national winter sports body in the space of a week after agreeing to continue its deal with US Ski & Snowboard
“New Fox” prepares buy-back of US regional sports networks
“New Fox” has emerged as the front-runner to buy back the regional US sports networks it will sell to Disney, a move that would protect its position as a leading sports broadcaster in the country.
Sportsnet offers TV exposure to Blue Jays affiliate
Canadian sports broadcaster Sportsnet has acquired broadcast rights to minor league baseball team the Vancouver Canadians
NBC Sports launches winter sports OTT platform
The NBC Sports division of US media company NBCUniversal has launched an OTT product targeted at winter sports fans
UConn signs 15-season commercial rights deal with IMG
The University of Connecticut has renewed a commercial rights deal with IMG, granting the agency radio, sponsorship, digital and licensing rights for the next 15 seasons
FloRugby adds host of rights to portfolio
Sports streaming service FloSports has announced that its FloRugby
Sky acquires exclusive NBA rights
UK pay-television broadcaster Sky has announced the acquisition of exclusive rights to the National Basketball Association for the next four seasons, from 2018-19 to 2021-22.
Impact Wrestling engages Kings Highway to broaden reach
US wrestling series Impact has struck a partnership with media brand distribution advisory firm Kings Highway Media
LeBron helps give ESPN its most-watched NBA pre-season game
The LeBron effect continues
CBS and ESPN sign long-term deal for US PGA Championship
Commercial broadcaster CBS and pay-television broadcaster ESPN have joined forces to sign an 11-year deal for rights to the PGA Championship in the US, from 2020 to 2030
Premier League rights on the market in a host of territories
England’s Premier League issued media-rights tenders covering 17 markets on Friday (October 5), following up on the tender covering seven markets launched last Tuesday (October 2).
DAZN secures European club rugby union rights in six markets
OTT service DAZN has acquired exclusive media rights to the top two tiers of European club rugby union in six of its markets