Brazilian sports channel set to cease operations

Brazilian pay-television channel Sports Plus is set to close by the end of the year, according to multiple reports.

Argentinian agency Torneos y Competencias launched Sports Plus in February 2013. The channel has been carried by Brazilian satellite-television operator Sky Brasil, and is operated by Time Out, a subsidiary media company of Torneos.

However, the Maquina do Esporte website said that while no official date for the channel’s closure has been set, staff have been advised that it will discontinue operations.

The owners of Sports Plus have reportedly made the decision due to disputes over the future of the channel with Brazilian media regulator Ancine, in addition to increased competition in the market.

Sports Plus has previously held rights to football’s Uefa Champions League and Spanish Liga, along with North American basketball league the NBA and men’s tennis from the ATP Tour.

Maquina said Sports Plus will continue to broadcast through Sky Brasil for now, but sports content will increasingly be substituted by movies. However, it will continue to broadcast properties for which it holds exclusive rights, such as ATP 500 series tournaments and European basketball competition the Euroleague.