USA
NFL assessing advertising model amid ratings slump
American football league the NFL is assessing its approach to advertising during game broadcasts amid ongoing concerns over a fall in ratings, according to a senior executive.
Liberty Media chief touts OTT platform for Formula One
Liberty Media chief executive Greg Maffei has said the US media company may seek to develop an over-the-top platform for Formula One once its takeover deal for the motor racing series is completed.
Fox and Turner linked with joint move for Argentinian football rights
US media companies Fox and Turner are keen to strike a partnership to acquire rights to club football in Argentina, according to reports.
Nielsen sticks by report findings following ESPN query
Nielsen has stuck by a recent report by the audience data measurement company that outlined a significant fall in ESPN subscribers, despite being challenged by the US pay-television sports broadcaster.
Intel makes moves in VR market with Voke acquisition
US technology giant Intel has agreed a deal to acquire Voke, with the US virtual reality company set to come under its new sports division.
NFL expands Google partnership for VR venture
The NFL has expanded a partnership with internet giant Google to allow viewers around the world to watch content from the American football league in virtual reality.
Cubs’ World Series victory generates bumper audience
The Chicago Cubs’ decisive victory over the Cleveland Indians in game seven of this year’s World Series attracted the largest audience for Major League Baseball’s end-of-season showpiece since 1991.
CBS working on NFL deal for All Access service
CBS chairman and chief executive Les Moonves has said the US network is working on a deal with American football league the NFL to stream games on its over-the-top platform, CBS All Access.
Justice Department sues AT&T, DirecTV over Dodgers channel carriage
The US Department of Justice has said it is suing telco AT&T and its DirecTV satellite operator and broadcaster for acting as the “ringleader” of a series of unlawful information exchanges between DirecTV and three of its competitors during carriage talks for regional pay-television channel SportsNet LA.
Hulu pens Fox, Disney deals for new streaming service
US subscription video-on-demand service Hulu has secured carriage deals with media companies 21st Century Fox and Walt Disney.
Australia’s W-League secures US rights partner
US sports broadcaster ESPN has acquired rights to the Australian W-League women’s club football competition.
TNA Wrestling hit by loss of key rights partner
US organisation TNA Wrestling said it hopes to reveal a new UK rights partner in the near future after digital-terrestrial television channel Challenge said it would end its long-running coverage.
Atlantic 10 claims first with Facebook initiative
The Atlantic 10 Conference will stream a number of regular-season basketball games live on social media platform Facebook in a move it claims marks a first for a US college sports organisation.
BeIN Sports nets US rights to KNVB Beker
Pay-television broadcaster beIN Sports has acquired rights in the US to Dutch club football cup competition the KNVB Beker.
TV Azteca embraces MMA with Combate Americas deal
Hispanic mixed martial arts promotion Combate Americas has agreed an exclusive, year-long Spanish-language rights deal with commercial broadcaster TV Azteca for the Mexican and US markets.
NBA’s Grizzlies extend with local rights partner
The Memphis Grizzlies North American NBA basketball franchise has extended an exclusive local rights deal with Fox Sports Southeast, a regional arm of the Fox Sports division of US network Fox.
Chivas seeks to replicate domestic rights model in US market
Mexican Liga MX football club Club Deportivo Guadalajara has signalled its intention to replicate its new domestic model of exploiting its rights in-house by taking the same approach for the US market.
AT&T’s Time Warner takeover set to face scrutiny
Telecommunications company AT&T has agreed a deal to acquire media company Time Warner for $85.4bn (€78.5bn), but the deal is set to face intense scrutiny from the authorities.