USA
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).
NFL networks net bumper audiences from Christmas Day fixtures
The National Football League's (NFL) Christmas Day triple-header was a television ratings success, attracting average viewership of 28.7 million
NHL, Diamond Sports agree to keep 11 teams on Bally Sports RSNs
The National Hockey League and Diamond Sports Group (DSG) have reached an agreement to keep 11 NHL teams on Bally Sports regional sports networks (RSNs) through the end of the season
WBD ‘in merger talks’ with Paramount Global
Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive David Zaslav and Paramount Global chief executive Bob Bakish have met to discuss a potential merger between the two media giants, according to multiple reports
Amazon ‘weighing up’ Diamond Sports Group investment
Technology company Amazon is in talks with Diamond Sports Group over a potential investment and streaming partnership deal with the regional-sports broadcaster.
Liberty Media’s tracking stock, SiriusXM combine in new public company
Liberty Media's Liberty SiriusXM (LSXM) tracking stock group will be combined with US radio broadcaster SiriusXM to create a new public company under the SiriusXM name and brand
ESPN adds Seoul, Mexico City series to MLB international slate
ESPN will televise four international Major League Baseball games across three continents in 2024, after striking new deals for the Seoul Series and Mexico City Series
Globo regains Copa América rights, Michelob Ultra sponsors 2024 edition
Brazilian media group Globo has reclaimed rights to the Copa América after securing exclusivity in the country to next year’s tournament, while brewing giant AB InBev will sponsor the event through its Michelob Ultra brand.
Garber: 2023 transformational for MLS after Messi arrival
The arrival of Lionel Messi pushed Major League Soccer into the worldwide soccer conversation and helped the league overdeliver on its expectations for global media partner Apple, commissioner Don Garber…
PBC gets into ring with Amazon after Showtime closure
Al Haymon's Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) promotion has found a new broadcast home in the United States following the shutting down of Showtime Sports, announcing an exclusive tie-up with Amazon Prime…
Prime Video’s bumper NFL audience bodes well for future rights talks
Amazon Prime Video's Thursday Night Football (TNF) broadcast of the Seattle Seahawks-Dallas Cowboys NFL game on November 30 drew its best-ever audience with an average of 15.26 million viewers
ESPN renews PFL rights in ‘multi-year’ deal
Disney-owned sports broadcaster ESPN has renewed its rights in the US to the Professional Fighters League mixed martial arts promotion
Nascar extends with Fox, NBC and adds Amazon, TNT in $7.7bn seven-year deals
Nascar has signed seven-year domestic media rights contracts for its premier Nascar Cup Series with broadcasters Fox Sports, NBC Sports, Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports that will begin in 2025 and run…
USL scores sizeable domestic rights increase
The United Soccer League, America's second-tier, will see its annual domestic media rights revenue rise sharply over the next four seasons thanks to new deals with Paramount and ESPN.
MLB hires Clark to oversee content distribution amid RSN upheaval
Major League Baseball has hired Josh Clark as senior vice-president of content distribution as the league and its broadcast department wades through the ongoing regional sports network (RSN) turmoil
Big Ten agrees Greenfly deal to help college athletes monetise their content
US college athletes competing in the Big Ten Conference are to be given the chance to build their personal brands and explore commercial opportunities via the use of digital media clips featuring them…
CAA Evolution forms new player in sports investment marketplace
Evolution Media Capital, the merchant banking arm of CAA, has joined forces with strategic advisory firm M. Klein & Company to launch a new entity which they claim will significantly step up their presence in the sports and entertainment investment space.
MLR brings in Globant to revamp OTT platform after success of Fifa remit
Major League Rugby has signed a wide-ranging commercial partnership with digital consultant and software provider Globant, which encompasses an overhaul of its over-the-top (OTT) platform, The Rugby Network