USA

Mark Lazarus, chairman of the NBC Sports Group division of NBCUniversal, is to step up his remit at the US media company following the departure of Ted Harbert, the chairman of NBC Broadcasting.

The Fox Sports division of US network Fox has launched a new mobile application to allow fans to access virtual reality coverage of the college American football game between Ohio State and Oklahoma on September 17.

NBC Universal chief executive Steve Burke has said the US media company secured more than $250m (€224.2m) in profit from its coverage of the 2016 summer Olympics, a significant improvement from the 2012 Games in London.

NBA basketball franchise the Los Angeles Clippers is closing in on a new local rights deal with cable television channel Prime Ticket that would allow it to retain streaming rights, according to the New York Post.

The University of California, Berkeley, in the US has signed a multimedia rights deal with the Learfield Sports agency, in a move that will end an existing relationship with the IMG College division of the IMG agency.

Pac-12 Networks, the content and multi-platform media company for the Pac-12 US college sports conference, has secured a partnership with Sling TV, the over-the-top subsidiary of national pay-television provider Dish.

Virtual reality broadcast technology company NextVR has partnered with the United States Tennis Association to provide highlights coverage of the latter stages of the US Open grand slam tournament.

The NBC Sports Group division of US media company NBCUniversal is to launch a new ‘Goal Rush’ game-day digital service for its coverage of football’s English Premier League.

UK sports production company Sunset+Vine will provide broadcast production services for this weekend’s Twenty20 cricket matches between India and the West Indies, which will be staged in the United States.

The Fox Sports division of US network Fox and magazine publisher Sports Illustrated have agreed a multi-year digital agreement.

Golf’s PGA Tour has agreed a rights partnership in Japan with digital sports content and media group Perform for its PGA Tour Live service, while it has unveiled a host of new initiatives for its over-the-top subscription offering, including plans to stream content via social media platforms Facebook and Twitter.

BAMTech, the video technology business of MLB Advanced Media, the interactive media arm of Major League Baseball, has agreed a rights, technology and investment partnership with US digital sports media company Silver Chalice Ventures.

US media company NBCUniversal has recorded its first television ratings slip for a summer Olympic Games since 2000.

US pay-television broadcaster HBO has passed up the opportunity to show Manny Pacquiao’s November 5 clash with Jessie Vargas, despite having a multi-fight contract with the Filipino boxer.

The Fox Sports division of the US network has sealed a long-term rights deal for the World Poker Tour.

Sports streaming specialist FloSports has generated $21.2m (€18.8m) in new funding, with international media and entertainment company Discovery Communications and wrestling entertainment promoter WWE among the latest investors.