USA
Verizon expands NBA partnership
Verizon has expanded a content and technology partnership with the NBA, with the telco’s Yahoo Sports platform set to offer access to live coverage of the North American basketball league.
Chicago Cubs targeting in-house media network
The Chicago Cubs is keen to form its own media network after its current broadcast contracts expire, according to the Major League Baseball club’s president of business operations, Crane Kenney.
Fox Sports extends partnership with ARCA Racing
The Fox Sports division of US network Fox has extended its deal with the Automobile Racing Club of America for rights to the ARCA Racing Series.
NBC readying for advertising bonanza from Super Bowl, Olympics coverage
US network NBC is predicting advertising revenue of close to $1.4bn (€1.17bn) from next month’s broadcasts of the Super Bowl, the showpiece game of the NFL American football league, and the 2018 winter Olympic Games.
Fox Sports appoints Horowitz’s replacement, signs World Cup partnerships
The Fox Sports division of US network Fox has appointed Mark Silverman to the position of president of national networks, along with signing partnerships with Twitter, Snapchat and Hisense to bolster its coverage of the 2018 Fifa World Cup national team football tournament.
Eleven adds NBA G League to basketball portfolio
International sports broadcaster Eleven Sports has acquired rights in a number of territories to the G League, the NBA basketball league’s developmental competition.
Altice unveils major restructuring, forms new pay-TV unit
French telco Altice, which operates pay-television broadcaster SFR Sport, has revealed plans to split its European and US operations, as well as form a new pay-television unit which will include its major sports rights.
Intel, NBC Sports unveil landmark VR plans for winter Olympics
US technology firm Intel has partnered with the NBC Sports Group division of media company NBCUniversal, rights-holder for the Olympic Games in the United States, to unveil significant virtual reality coverage plans for the forthcoming winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
NFL television audience figures down again in 2017
US television audience ratings for American football’s NFL fell 9.7 per cent in the 2017 season, marking the second consecutive year of decline.
National Lacrosse League adds to streaming partnerships with Facebook deal
North America’s National Lacrosse League has agreed a streaming-rights partnership with social media platform Facebook.
Vikings claim NFL first with VR app
The Minnesota Vikings has become the first NFL American football franchise to launch a virtual reality mobile application.
NFL open to change for new Thursday Night Football deal
American football league the NFL has issued a request for proposal concerning its Thursday Night Football rights package, with the document reportedly outlining that a contract could be solely sealed by an online streaming provider for the first time.
ESPN to showcase NCAA Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship
US sports broadcaster ESPN has agreed a deal with the National Collegiate Athletic Association for rights to its Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship.
Ex-BAMTech boss Bowman admits to ‘inappropriate behaviour’
Bob Bowman, Major League Baseball’s former president of business and media, has admitted he was “inappropriate” at times after the Wall Street Journal reported that the executive had recently been forced out after years of troubling behaviour.
ESPN adds Monday Night Football mobile rights to NFL coverage
US sports broadcaster ESPN has added live mobile streaming of Monday Night Football games to its coverage of the NFL American football league.
Skipper quits ESPN, citing substance addiction issue
John Skipper has resigned from his position as president of US sports broadcaster ESPN, citing a substance addiction problem.
NBCUniversal expands NFL rights deal
US media company NBCUniversal has expanded its agreement with the NFL to cover mobile rights for the American football league’s Sunday Night Football games.
BBC America grants US platform for darts showpieces
The BBC America division of the UK public-service broadcaster has acquired rights to the World Championship and Premier League darts tournaments.