USA
Watching Brief (Vol.110) Special Focus: Tennis – US Open
John Manning, research anaylst for SportBusiness Intelligence examines US Open tennis television audiences in selected European markets and the USA
Endemol launches eSports-themed network in US
Endemol Beyond USA, the digital division of media group Endemol Shine North America, has launched a new digital network dedicated to eSports and gaming.
ABC offers network coverage for LPGA season finale
US network ABC has struck a deal to broadcast the final round of the last event of the Ladies Professional Golf Association’s 2015 LPGA Tour season.
Facebook to set live streaming first with NBA programming
Social media platform Facebook will simulcast its first-ever live sports programming tomorrow (Thursday) by covering the NBA Real Training Camp featuring the North American basketball league’s Cleveland Cavaliers franchise.
Mid-American Conference signs regional rights deal with BCSN
The Mid-American Conference US collegiate sports competition has struck a multi-year media rights deal with the Ohio-based Buckeye CableSystem Sports Network regional sports broadcaster.
United World Wrestling hails record figures for 2015 Worlds
United World Wrestling, the sport’s global governing body, has said the 2015 Wrestling World Championships has become the most-viewed non-Olympic event in its history.
American Sports Network secures college ice hockey rights
American Sports Network, the college sports platform operated by US television broadcasting company Sinclair Networks Group, has secured rights deals with a number of collegiate ice hockey organisations in the country.
NBC Sports Group appoints PepsiCo exec as CMO
The NBC Sports Group division of US media company NBCUniversal has appointed Jennifer Storms as chief marketing officer.
Sinclair in talks over Tennis Channel deal – report
US television broadcasting company Sinclair Networks Group has reportedly held talks with Tennis Channel over a potential takeover of the pay-television broadcaster, according to the Wall Street Journal newspaper.
ASN secures rights to AAC basketball
American Sports Network (ASN), the college sports platform operated by US television broadcasting company Sinclair Networks Group, has agreed a sublicensing deal with US sports broadcaster ESPN for rights to men’s basketball games from the American Athletic Conference.
Eleven picks up NFL rights in Poland, Belgium
International pay-television operator Eleven Sports Network has acquired rights in Poland and Belgium for the North American NFL American football league.
Pac-12 turns down AT&T carriage deal
The Pac-12 has rejected a proposal from AT&T that would have allowed the US telecommunications company’s DirecTV satellite pay-television service to carry coverage of the US college conference.
Madison Square Garden approves spin-off plan
Madison Square Garden Company, which owns US regional pay-television channels MSG Network and MSG Plus along with major league franchises the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers, has approved a spin-off of its sports and entertainment businesses from its media division.
NFL launches Game Pass service to continue digital drive
American football league the NFL has launched a new subscription streaming service designed as the latest accompaniment to the sport’s traditional television coverage.
Learfield extends Patriot League partnership
The Learfield Sports agency has agreed a five-year extension to its exclusive multimedia rights partnership with college sports conference the Patriot League.
IMG College president to move on to new role
Ben Sutton, IMG College's chairman and president, is transitioning to an honorary role at the US college sports division of the WME IMG agency.
Wrestling World Championships to be streamed online
United World Wrestling, the sport’s global governing body, has said it will stream live coverage of every match during the 2015 Wrestling World Championships in Las Vegas, US.
NeuLion expands partnership with UFC
Internet video technology provider NeuLion has expanded its partnership with the Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts series.