North America
49ers first team to sign up to NFL streaming venture
The San Francisco 49ers NFL American football franchise will set a league first by live streaming each of its four 2018 preseason games via its official website.
Disney seals US antitrust approval for Fox deal
Walt Disney has secured US antitrust approval to acquire most of rival media company 21st Century Fox’s assets on the condition that it offloads 22 regional sports channels, according to the Justice Department.
WWE signs up Fox as new domestic partner, USA extends
US wrestling organisation WWE has today (Wednesday) sealed a new domestic rights deal with the Fox Sports division of the Fox network and has extended its long-running partnership with cable-television broadcaster USA Network, stating that the agreements provide a substantial increase in the value of its US distribution.
Broadcast partners sign up for Global T20 Canada
Organisers of the Global T20 Canada, a new Twenty20 cricket competition, have revealed broadcast partners for the event ahead of its opening day tomorrow (Thursday).
Sunset+Vine secures World Equestrian Games contract
Sports producer and distributor Sunset+Vine has landed the host broadcaster contract for the 2018 World Equestrian Games.
DAZN follows Matchroom deal with Bellator partnership
DAZN, the live and on-demand streaming service owned by digital sports media specialist Perform, has bolstered its combat sports content by agreeing a multi-year rights deal with US mixed martial arts promotion Bellator.
USSSA to produce coverage of women’s baseball showpiece
The World Baseball Softball Confederation has awarded host broadcast rights for the 2018 Women’s Baseball World Cup to the United States Speciality Sports Association, a non-profit sports organisation based in Florida.
Gray to acquire Raycom in $3.65bn deal
US television broadcasting companies Gray Television and Raycom Media are set to merge under a $3.647bn (€3.09bn) deal that will tie together a host of local broadcast stations.
CBS adds mobile rights to NFL partnership
US network CBS has expanded its rights deal with the NFL American football league to take in live streaming rights on mobile devices.
World TeamTennis goes global with OTT platform
US-based mixed gender team league World TeamTennis has launched a new OTT platform that will provide live streaming of every match for the first time in its 43-season history.
DAZN set to grant US home to World Boxing Super Series
The World Boxing Super Series is set to receive exposure in the US via DAZN when the streaming service owned by digital sports media specialist Perform Group launches in the country, according to multiple reports.
Disney increases offer for Fox assets
Disney has tabled an improved $70.4bn (€61bn) takeover offer for a significant share of rival US media company 21st Century Fox’s business assets.
AT&T transforms Time Warner into WarnerMedia
US telco AT&T has moved to rebrand Time Warner as WarnerMedia following its $85.4bn (€72.37bn) takeover of the media company.
European Commission sets up Sky takeover tussle with Comcast bid approval
Comcast’s takeover bid for Sky has today (Friday) been approved unconditionally by the European Commission, setting up a multi-billion battle for the pan-European pay-television broadcaster with rival US media company 21st Century Fox.
Oculus gives World Cup matches VR treatment
US technology company Oculus has said it will provide live streaming of select Fifa World Cup matches through Oculus Venues, its new app for social co-viewing.
Yankees weighing up full control of Yes Network
Major League Baseball franchise the New York Yankees is considering buying back US regional pay-television sports broadcaster Yes Network, according to multiple reports.
DAZN adds cricket content to Canadian offering
DAZN, the OTT service operated by digital sports media company Perform, has acquired rights in Canada to a host of international cricket content.
Comcast submits $65bn offer for Fox assets
Comcast has tabled a $65bn (€55bn) all-cash offer for a significant share of rival US media company 21st Century Fox’s business assets, challenging a deal struck in December between the latter and media giant Disney.