Brazilian media group Globo has filed its latest claim against Turner after alleging that the pay-television broadcaster has illegally acquired rights to a number of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A matches.
Globo’s claim was filed in Rio de Janeiro’s Third Civil Court and demands that Turner is banned from broadcasting any matches involving teams that have pay-television broadcast deals with the media group, reports Brazilian publication UoL.
Globo’s argument rests on the 2011 Pay TV Act as it alleges that Turner’s acquisition of matches recently through the PM984 measure constitutes an “economic abuse”.
PM984 was introduced by Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro earlier this year and places sole control of a club’s media rights in the hands of the home team. Both the home and away team were previously required to reach an agreement over a broadcast deal prior to its introduction. The decree, issued just over a month ago, is to remain in effect for 60 days from its commencement, and then another 60-day period, but still requires ratification from the Brazilian Congress in order to become law.
If Globo is successful in its claim, Turner will be banned from broadcasting matches featuring teams that hold pay-television contracts with the media group until at least 2024.
Turner is accused of acting in poor faith through its use of the temporary measure, but the company has been steadfast in its belief that PM984 permits it to broadcast Brasileiro Série A matches, despite Globo’s continued efforts to secure a legal ban against this.
Globo suffered a string of damaging defeats in its pursuit to block broadcasts of the Carioca State Championship before the Justice Tribunal of the State of Rio de Janeiro handed it a lifeline last week.
The court’s decision successfully placed a R$1.5m (€233,000/$276,000) fine if Turner broadcasts matches using PM984.
Globo has continually shown an appetite to bring its issues with PM984 to court as the measure has repeatedly enraged the media group since its inception.
Globo is the dominant broadcaster of domestic Brazilian football, holding free-to-air and pay-per-view rights to all 20 Campeonato Série A clubs and pay-television rights of 12 Série A clubs. US broadcaster Turner holds pay-television rights to the remaining eight clubs.
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