IMG
Features
IMG heading for loss on Serie A despite big increases in most key territories
• IMG has secured big increases in most major markets for Serie A but is still likely to lose money
• Agency was given discount for favouring visibility over price in US in ESPN / beIN face-off
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CCTV’s new digital strategy complicates renewal talks for Champions League, Bundesliga and Serie A
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV is in discussions to renew rights to three of its most important football properties: the Uefa Champions League, Germany’s Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A.
SABC won’t pay an upfront fee for rights to CSA’s new T20 competition
South African public-service broadcaster SABC has thanked Cricket South Africa for its “generosity” after the two parties struck a commercial rights deal with no upfront fee.
IMG-backed Eleven takes UFC rights in UK and Ireland
Eleven Sports has acquired exclusive rights to the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the UK and Ireland for the next three years, paying a lower minimum guarantee than its predecessor BT
Eurosport’s hold on MotoGP rights across Europe weakens
Sports broadcaster Eurosport has had its grip on MotoGP rights across Europe weakened in recent times, despite its renewal of rights in the Netherlands.
Agencies swoop after LaLiga takes rights back from MP & Silva
The Mediapro agency has sealed several last-minute deals with IMG and Saran Media across Eastern Europe for rights to Spain’s LaLiga, after cancelling its deal with MP & Silva.
ESPN doubles down on football to bolster ESPN+ offering
ESPN's deal with IMG for rights to Serie A and the FA Cup has shown how US sports broadcasters are desperate not to be left without premium European football on their platforms.
IMG to go market-by-market with MLS rights after Eurosport pulls out
The IMG agency is expected to sell rights to Major League Soccer across Europe on a market-by-market basis from next season following Eurosport’s decision not to renew its deal for the next four-year c…
DAZN pays up to keep hold of Serie A in Germany and Austria
Perform-owned OTT service DAZN has paid an increase of close to 70 per cent to retain its hold on rights to Italy’s Serie A in Germany and Austria.
Sony retains LaLiga coverage via Facebook sublicensing deal
Facebook this week sublicensed some coverage of Spain’s LaLiga to Sony Pictures Networks India across the Indian subcontinent, recouping about 20 per cent of its investment in the rights.
Ziggo strengthens European football portfolio without paying a premium
Dutch telco Ziggo has bolstered its portfolio of European football rights, picking up Italian Serie A and English FA Cup rights in relatively low-cost deals.
Portugal and Africa bring strong Serie A increases for IMG
Gauging the success of IMG’s Serie A international rights acquisition won’t be possible until the end of the cycle given the agency has launched direct-to-consumer offerings in more than 20 markets.
Perform-IMG call off fruitless Copa Sudamericana tender
Copa Sudamericana rights could be sold to a single broadcaster across Latin America and Brazil, as FC Diez Media has called off tender processes in both territories and entered private negotiations.
Ligue 1 rights sold but Serie A still without a home in Germany
Serie A rights remain unsold in Germany and Austria with new season fast approaching
DAZN renews Ligue 1 for just over €500,000 per season, up from €300,000 per season
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IMG helps create competitor for UK rights with Eleven venture
The success of Eleven Sports’ soon-to-launch UK and Ireland operation – in partnership with the IMG agency – will depend on the broadcaster’s ability to negotiate fruitful carriage deals with operators that did not bid aggressively for the properties Eleven will base its channels upon.