USA
MSG Networks snatches Sabres extension
The parent company of North American NHL ice hockey franchise the Buffalo Sabres has signed a multi-year extension to its local rights deal with MSG Networks, the pay-television channel owned by Madison Square Garden Company.
Dish drops NFL Network and Red Zone services
US pay-television provider Dish Network has dropped carriage of the National Football League’s NFL Network cable-television channel and NFL Red Zone game-day service.
New York Racing Association signs extensive rights agreement with Fox Sports
The Fox Sports division of US network Fox has entered into a multi-year rights partnership with horseracing body the New York Racing Association.
Los Angeles Rams secure local rights deal with CBS affiliate
NFL American football team the Los Angeles Rams has secured a multi-year local rights deal with KCBS-TV/CBS 2, a regional television channel operated by US network CBS.
Twitter teams up with Univision, Fox Sports for Copa America
Social media website Twitter has linked up with US sports broadcasters Univision and Fox Sports to deliver clips to users featuring coverage of the Copa America Centenario national team football tournament in the US.
Historic broadcast blackout lifted for Indy 500’s centenary event
Sunday’s 100th staging of the Indianapolis 500, the showpiece race of the IndyCar motor racing series, will receive full national coverage in the United States for the first time since 1950 after local television blackout restrictions were lifted.
Conference USA secures rights agreements
The Conference USA organisation has sealed domestic rights deals with three broadcasters – ESPN, CBS Sports Network, and American Sports Network.
IOC signs up for NBC Sports Group’s new streaming service
The International Olympic Committee has signed up as the first client of Playmaker Media, a new video streaming technology support service that has been launched by the NBC Sports Digital division of US media group NBCUniversal.
NBC Sports adds Royal Ascot to horseracing portfolio
The NBC Sports Group division of US media company NBCUniversal has acquired exclusive media rights in the country to UK horseracing showpiece Royal Ascot under a multi-year deal.
Eurosport links up with Tennis Channel for French Open
International sports broadcaster Eurosport has entered into a partnership with US pay-television broadcaster Tennis Channel ahead of this year’s French Open tennis tournament.
BeIN Sports enters college market with Conference USA deal
US pay-television broadcaster beIN Sports has made its first move into college sport by agreeing a deal with the Conference USA organisation.
NBC Sports extends Tour of California deal
The NBC Sports Group division of US media group NBCUniversal has extended a rights deal for the Tour of California cycling race.
ESL enters into content partnership with Pilgrim Media Group
US production company Pilgrim Media Group has entered into a partnership with esports tournament organiser ESL to create and distribute original content for television and digital platforms.
ESPN and Verizon reach settlement over channel bundling dispute
US sports broadcaster ESPN and telecommunications company Verizon have reached a settlement in their lawsuit over the latter’s ‘Custom TV’ programming package.
FCC approves $79bn Charter-TWC deal
The US Federal Communications Commission has voted to approve the proposed merger of Charter Communications and fellow pay-television operator Time Warner Cable, an agreement that is set to create the world’s second largest cable television and internet provider.
NBC Sports makes first major foray into VR with Kentucky Derby
The NBC Sports Group division of US media company NBCUniversal linked up with virtual reality technology company NextVR to present coverage of this year’s Kentucky Derby US horse-racing event.
Discovery announces cost saving measures
US media and entertainment company Discovery Communications has announced cost saving measures as chief executive David Zaslav said he expects its Olympic Games broadcast rights deal to make “real money” for the firm.
FuboTV bolsters content with One World Sports deal
US over-the-top streaming service FuboTV has agreed a carriage deal with North American sports broadcaster One World Sports.