North America
Anthem enhances US exposure for Fight Network and FNTSY Sports Network
North American media company Anthem Media has agreed a deal with Cablevision for the media and telecommunications company to carry its Fight Network and FNTSY Sports Network.
PGA Tour latest major name to partner with 120 Sports
Golf’s PGA Tour has agreed a deal to become the latest equity partner of 120 Sports, the new all-digital sports network of US media group Time.
Leagues, broadcasters claim court victory over Aereo
The future of Aereo is in serious doubt after the US Supreme Court backed claims from major leagues and their broadcast partners that the online streaming service breaches copyright rules.
Tennis Channel returns to Armstrong in carriage deal
US pay-television broadcaster Tennis Channel has broadened its reach by agreeing a multi-year carriage deal with cable television provider Armstrong.
World TeamTennis enhances exposure with ESPN deal
US sports broadcaster ESPN has agreed a four-year deal for rights to the World TeamTennis competition.
Time’s 120 Sports to go live on Wednesday
US media group Time will launch 120 Sports, a new all-digital sports network, on June 25, it was announced today.
Chicago Cubs weighing up multicast station – report
US MLB baseball club the Chicago Cubs is considering launching a multicast television station to broadcast games currently held under the team’s local rights deal with cable-television broadcaster WGN-TV, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Dish states interest in NFL’s Sunday Ticket rights
US satellite television company Dish Network has said it would be interested in bidding for the NFL American football league’s Sunday Ticket package if rival operator DirecTV fails to extend its rights deal.
NHL commissioner moves to aid Sharks rights talks
National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman has intervened in talks over San Jose Sharks’ local broadcast rights deal amid fears the long-term agreement is seriously affecting the ice hockey team’s financial position, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
IMG and WME make new senior-level appointment
The IMG and William Morris Endeavor agencies have appointed Greg D’Alba as president of global sales and marketing.
Broadcast partners sign up for Mexican clubs’ US tour
International sports broadcaster ESPN and US media company Liberman Broadcasting have acquired media rights for the 2014 Socio MX Tour, which features five friendly matches between top-tier Mexican football clubs.
UFC targets content expansion following Invicta deal
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has agreed a multi-year content deal with fellow mixed martial arts series Invicta Fighting Championships, with UFC president Dana White suggesting he is keen to add further content to the UFCFightPass.com digital streaming service.
ESPN teams up with Google in World Cup partnership
US sports broadcaster ESPN has signed a video content partnership with internet company Google for the 2014 Fifa World Cup national team football tournament.
NFL goes it alone as leagues push out short-form content
Two services due to launch soon show the increasing strategic and commercial importance of short-form content to the big US sports leagues and underline the degree to which US sport is leading the way in exploiting digital media.
Vikings step up MLS franchise bid with Relevent Sports tie-up
NFL American football franchise the Minnesota Vikings have stepped up their efforts to secure a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team for their new stadium by agreeing a partnership with the Relevent Sports agency.
BSkyB extends and expands US Open rights deal
UK pay-television broadcaster BSkyB has extended its exclusive rights deal for the US Open golf tournament as part of a new agreement that also includes coverage of other women’s, senior and amateur golf events in the US.
TSN and RDS hole US Open rights extension
The United States Golf Association has extended its long-term partnership for Canadian pay-television sports broadcaster TSN and French-language sister network RDS to broadcast the US Open and other tournaments under the USGA umbrella through to 2022.
Formula One extends Canadian rights deal
Canadian pay-television sports broadcaster TSN and French-language sister network RDS have agreed a multi-year extension through to 2019 for their exclusive rights to the Formula One motor-racing championship.