USA
MLB targets Latino market with Mitú partnership
Major League Baseball has signed a content partnership with Hispanic-focused digital network Mitú which is designed to target the Latino youth market.
Atresmedia pins down WWE extension
Spanish commercial broadcaster Atresmedia has signed a multi-year extension to its rights deal with the WWE, while the US wrestling organisation has agreed to add content from independent promoters to its WWE Network pay-television channel, according to multiple reports.
OpenTV launches legal action against NFL
The OpenTV software subsidiary of digital security company Kudelski Group has filed a lawsuit against the NFL in relation to the American football league’s live streaming and related video services.
Steelers to launch virtual reality game-day service
Virtual reality production studio Mandt VR has entered into a partnership with NFL American football franchise the Pittsburgh Steelers.
USTA scores extension with Japanese rights partner
The United States Tennis Association has extended its long-term rights deal with Japanese pay-television broadcaster Wowow.
NBCSN signs exclusive deal with US motorcycling series
The NBC Sports Group division of media company NBCUniversal has agreed a deal to broadcast coverage of the 2017 American Flat Track US motorcycling series.
NBC Sports Group and Turner seal long-term OTT partnership
The NBC Sports Group division of US media company NBCUniversal and cable-television broadcaster Turner have revealed plans to collaborate on sports-focused OTT streaming.
Courtside Ventures unveils initial investment portfolio
Courtside Ventures, the sports focused early-stage venture capital fund that invests in media and technology companies, has unveiled its portfolio of inaugural investments.
ESPN’s new streaming platform set for 2017 launch
Christine McCarthy, chief financial officer of the Walt Disney media company, has said US sports broadcaster ESPN’s new sport subscription streaming service will launch this year.
Hulu brokers CBS deal for new OTT platform
US subscription video-on-demand service Hulu has secured a carriage deal with the CBS network.
Turner launches sports marketing agency
US media company Turner has launched a sports marketing agency which aims to “change the paradigm” for sports and lifestyle marketers.
NFL records decline in US television viewership
The NFL American football league suffered an eight per cent year-on-year drop in US television viewership during its 2016 regular season, according to data obtained by ESPN.com.
FCC ruling paves way for increased Televisa stake in Univision
The US Federal Communications Commission has granted approval for increased foreign investment in Univision in a move that is set to allow Mexican media company Televisa to raise its stake in the Spanish-language broadcaster.
NextVR partners with Google Daydream, enhances NBA relationship
Virtual reality broadcast technology company NextVR has moved to widen its international reach by partnering with internet company Google and broadening its existing relationship with North American basketball league the NBA.
New PGA Tour chief outlines plans to widen reach
Golf’s PGA Tour will seek to secure partial ownership of a network as part of its next set of broadcast rights agreements, according to the organisation’s new commissioner Jay Monahan.
NBA TV nets Euroleague rights extension
NBA TV, the cable and satellite television broadcaster operated by the North American basketball league, has extended an agreement to broadcast the Euroleague continental club competition.
NBA teams up with FanDuel for innovative second-screen service
The NBA Digital division of the NBA basketball league has partnered with daily fantasy sports operator FanDuel to develop a mobile game that will seek to provide fans with a second-screen experience during television broadcasts of matches.
GolTV nets rights to Italy’s Supercoppa
US pay-television channel GolTV has acquired exclusive rights in the country for Italian club football competition, the Supercoppa Italiana.