United Kingdom
Watching Brief (Vol.157) UK Television Audiences Monday 8th May to Sunday 14th May
UK viewing audiences for the week between Monday 8th May and Sunday 14th May. We also include a round-up of available audiences for this season's European Rugby Challenge Cup.
Watching Brief Vol.
BT targets ECB rights with free-to-air strategy
UK telecommunications company BT has confirmed it is interested in the broadcast rights being marketed by the England and Wales Cricket Board, with an eye towards a free-to-air strategy.
Ascot targets Chinese audience with Sina Sports deal
Ascot Racecourse has agreed an exclusive broadcast rights deal with the Sina Sports division of Chinese internet operator Sina covering the forthcoming edition of British horseracing showpiece Royal Ascot.
Eurosport to be available through Amazon Prime
Internet company Amazon will start offering live television channels, including Eurosport, via its Prime Video subscription service in the UK for an extra fee.
Watching Brief (Vol.156) UK Television Audiences Monday 1st May to Sunday 7th May
UK viewing audiences for the week between Monday 1st May and Sunday 7th May. We also include April's most-watched sports programmes that were broadcast free-to-air. P
Sky picks up Uefa Euro U-21, boxing rights
UK pay-television broadcaster Sky has acquired rights for the next three editions of the Uefa European Under-21 Championship, starting with this year’s event in Poland.
BT Sport adds 4K and VR in repeat of free-to-air Uefa finals initiative
UK pay-television broadcaster BT Sport has again elected to provide free coverage of this year’s Uefa Champions League and Europa League club football competitions on video-sharing website YouTube, while fans will also be able to experience the games in 4K ultra-high-definition and virtual reality.
Discovery linked as ECB launches rights tender
The England and Wales Cricket Board has launched its formal media rights sale process for international and domestic cricket for the five-year period spanning 2020 to 2024, with media and entertainment company Discovery Communications reportedly interested in the tender.
ECB appoints law firm to aid tender process
The England and Wales Cricket Board has engaged law firm CMS to advise on its forthcoming media rights sale for all competitions for the period 2020-2024.
Watching Brief (Vol.155) UK Television Audiences Monday 24th April to Sunday 30th April
UK viewing audiences for the week between Monday 24th April and Sunday 30th April. We also include the month's most-watched programmes on Eurosport and across all pay-television broadcasters
BT faces up to ‘challenging’ year as profits fall
UK telecommunications company BT, parent firm of pay-television broadcaster BT Sport, has reported a fall in its annual pre-tax profits of 19 per cent admitting it has faced a “challenging” year in the wake of an accounting scandal involving its Italian division.
BBC picks up rights to England’s tour of Argentina
UK public-service broadcaster the BBC has acquired rights to the England rugby union team’s upcoming tour of Argentina.
Racing UK broadens reach with YouView deal
UK horse racing pay-television broadcaster Racing UK has agreed a carriage deal with the YouView platform, which is available through BT TV, TalkTalk TV and Plusnet TV.
RMG increases media-rights payments to British racecourses
Racecourse Media Group has distributed £85.5m (€101m/$111m) in media-rights payments to the 34 racecourses with which it is affiliated in the UK.
BT’s TV chief to depart
Delia Bushell, managing director of television and sport for UK telecommunications company BT, has opted to resign, according to multiple reports.
S4C to cover Lions tour
Welsh public-service channel S4C has acquired highlights rights to the British and Irish Lions rugby union team’s upcoming tour of New Zealand through a sublicensing agreement with pay-television broadcaster Sky.
Watching Brief (Vol.154) UK Television Audiences Monday 17th April to Sunday 23rd April
UK viewing audiences for the week between Monday 17th April and Sunday 23rd April, plus leading rugby league audiences on pay-television for the season to date.
Watching Brief Vol. 154
EFL opens new revenue stream with live-streaming service
The English Football League, which operates the three club divisions below the top-tier Premier League, is to launch a new live-streaming and content platform for overseas fans.