USA
Multiple hurdles for Diamond before Amazon’s ‘brilliant, brilliant deal’ can begin
Amazon’s proposed agreement with Diamond Sports Group to secure local streaming rights to US sports leagues has been hailed as a “brilliant, brilliant deal”, though approval of the plan is far from certain.
PGA Tour reaches deal over FSG-led $3bn injection, door open to PIF ‘co-investment’
The PGA Tour has reached agreement to secure a $3bn (€2.75bn) investment in a new commercial entity from a US consortium led by Liverpool FC owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG), but has left the door open to 'co-investment' from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).
MLB puts in place production plans for Rockies broadcasts
Major League Baseball has started to establish production plans for Colorado Rockies' broadcasts and is likely to air the games on MLB.TV during the 2024 season, SportBusiness understands
Peacock subscribers grow by 3m, Q4 revenue rises 57 per cent
Peacock, the NBC streaming service, added three million net subscribers to reach 31 million as its revenue increased by 57 per cent to surpass $1bn (€923m) in quarterly revenue for the first time, the company's parent company Comcast revealed in its 2023 Q4 earnings.
Former Amazon, ESPN exec Donoghue joins DraftKings
Daily fantasy and sports betting company DraftKings has appointed Marie Donoghue as its new chief business and growth officer after she left her role as vice-president of Amazon’s US sports content and partnerships.
World Surf League adds ESPN in US, slew of new sponsors for 2024
The World Surf League (WSL) has announced a broadcast deal with ESPN that will put all 10 of the Championship Tour events in 2024 on ESPN+, as well as several new sponsors
NBA seeks ‘sweet spot’ in rapidly evolving US media landscape
The National Basketball Association’s next round of domestic rights deals seems certain to look very different to those of the last two decades, as streaming technology and changing user behaviour drive change in the US media market at an unprecedented pace.
NFL playoff ratings soar in divisional round
The National Football League has set records during its live postseason coverage across the main US networks
NFL seeks greater year-round engagement through NFL+
While maintaining its linear dominance, the NFL is increasingly focusing attention on NFL+, its direct-to-consumer streaming service which has just completed its second regular season.
Diamond Sports emerges out of bankruptcy, Amazon becomes investor
Diamond Sports has entered into a restructuring support agreement with its largest creditor groups to enable it to emerge from bankruptcy, with the deal including a commitment from Amazon to make a minority investment.
NFL ‘in advanced talks’ to take ESPN stake
Disney and the National Football League have held "advanced talks" over the latter taking an equity stake in ESPN, it has been claimed
ESPN ‘in talks over six-year College Football Playoff deal’
The College Football Playoff and ESPN are in “the midst of negotiations” to renew the network as the sole rights-holder for the premier college sports event as it expands from four to 12 teams.Acc
YES, MSG Networks form streaming services JV
US-based cable and satellite broadcasters the YES Network and MSG Networks are to form a 50/50 joint venture called Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment (GAME) to work on the networks' streaming services
Donoghue to exit as Amazon’s VP of global sports video
Marie Donoghue, who played an integral role in growing Amazon's sports rights portfolio in the United States, is to leave the online retail giant
NCAA bundles women’s basketball into $920m, eight-year ESPN deal
The National Collegiate Athletic Association has agreed a new eight-year domestic and international rights deal with ESPN for 40 of its championships in an agreement worth $920m (€840m).
Prime Video’s TNF coverage posts 24-per-cent season increase
Amazon Prime Video's second season as the exclusive Thursday Night Football broadcaster returned a 24-per-cent increase in total viewership in the United States compared to its inaugural season
Cuban talks up real estate revenues over media rights as Mavs sale signed off
Mark Cuban said the changing media landscape in the United States contributed to his decision to sell his majority stake in the National Basketball Association's Dallas Mavericks
PWHL strikes broadcast deals in time for season opener
The Professional Women’s Hockey League secured broadcast deals with TSN and Sporstnet, among others, in North America ahead of its inaugural season, which began yesterday (Monday).