USA
Disney streaming results present rare bright spot for company
The Walt Disney Co.’s streaming success during the last quarter, in part through ESPN+, help counter what was otherwise a historically poor quarter for the company.
NBCUniversal set for staff layoffs
US media company NBCUniversal is set to lay off a number of employees amid restructuring plans and the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic
NBA creates betting-focused telecasts
The National Basketball Association has created an alternate broadcast option devoted to sports betting within its suite of video platforms
NHL, NBA restart play to strong US audiences
Both the National Hockey League and National Basketball Association returned to play after delays of more than four months due to the Covid-19 pandemic and generated strong ratings among American television…
Enlarged NBA-Yahoo Sports deal includes new virtual reality rights
The National Basketball Association has struck a renewed and enlarged multiyear marketing and content agreement with Verizon Media-owned Yahoo Sports that will see the company deploy NBA games in virtual…
WWE pegs ratings declines on lack of live audiences
World Wrestling Entertainment, facing increased investor pressure amid falling TV ratings, blamed its ongoing viewership challenges on the lack of in-person audiences for its events
CBS acquired additional Uefa Champions League rights in discount deal
CBS Sports secured its additional English-language rights to the Uefa Champions League in the United States at a discounted rate, SportBusiness understands.
ESPN expands WNBA coverage
US sports broadcaster ESPN has expanded its coverage of the 2020 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) campaign by adding an additional 13 regular-season games.
NHL strikes deal for Twitter live look-ins during playoffs
The National Hockey League and digital partner Disney Streaming Services have struck a partnership with Twitter to deliver live video look-ins of the upcoming league playoffs to the social media platform
NWSL draws record 653,000 TV audience for NWSL Challenge Cup final
The National Women's Soccer League broke its domestic television ratings record for the second time in a month over the weekend, when the NWSL Challenge Cup final drew an average audience of 653,000 viewers…
NBC Sports looks to advance TV coverage of ice hockey
NBC Sports said its production for the upcoming National Hockey League playoffs will look to break new ground for televised coverage of ice hockey
Women’s International Champions Cup to expand content platform, tournament
United States-based soccer promoters Relevent Sports Group has announced plans to develop the Women’s International Champions Cup, with additional content platforms and an expanded tournament.
Fox Sports to use virtual fans during Major League Baseball broadcasts
Fox Sports has revealed it will utilize virtual fans during its Major League Baseball broadcasts in the widespread absence of spectators at games during the rescheduled season
Local broadcast blackout lifted for reduced-capacity Indy 500
This year’s Indianapolis 500 will be opened up to Central Indiana television viewers for only the second time in seven decades as organizers seek to give the motorsports showpiece maximum exposure amid a…
WAVE.tv eyes company acquisitions after $32m funding round
WAVE.tv, the California-based sports media company, has closed a Series A funding round worth $32m (€27.6m) to help build its roster of media brands and acquire companies.
Sinclair names Shapiro to new role in sports
Sinclair Broadcast Group is continuing the executive leadership transition for its sports assets, expanding the duties of company veteran and current chief development officer Scott Shapiro to also include…