Sky UK

Media commentators will debate whether the 36-per-cent increase the English Football League secured for its rights from Sky is a great result, a disappointment, or something in between.

Amazon secured its first major sports rights deal in the UK with the acquisition of ATP World Tour 1000 and 500 rights, a move which surprised local experts.

The expansion of the cross-border Pro12 rugby union competition, following the addition of two South African teams this week, has been driven by three factors: the desire to improve the competitiveness of the league, the aim of bringing its media-rights revenues closer into line with its rivals, and the availability of the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings.

The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) enjoyed the best of both worlds in agreeing its new domestic deals last week – it has grown media-rights revenue by almost 180 per cent and secured significant free-to-air coverage on UK public-service broadcaster the BBC.

UK pay-television broadcaster Sky has retained the majority of its rights with the England & Wales Cricket Board, as public-service broadcaster the BBC returned as a live broadcaster of the sport under new deals that will be worth £1.1bn (€1.25bn/$1.4bn) in total.

Media company 21st Century Fox’s bid to take full control of European pay-television operator Sky is set to be referred to the UK competition regulator, it emerged today (Thursday).

UK pay-television broadcaster Sky is to rebrand its 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 sports channels with names that focus on specific sports, while it will also launch a new cheaper subscription package.

Media company 21st Century Fox has received regulatory approval in the Republic of Ireland for its proposed takeover of European pay-television operator Sky.