Finance & Law
EXCLUSIVE: CPL set to continue on OneSoccer after Mediapro-CSB talks
Mediapro’s football streaming service OneSoccer looks set to continue offering live coverage of the Canadian Premier League (CPL) during the 2024 season after conciliatory talks were held with Canadian S…
US DOJ ‘to review’ ESPN-Fox-WBD streaming deal
The United States Justice Department (DOJ) is planning to scrutinise the new sports streaming service that Disney's ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery plan to launch later this year over potential antitrust breaches.
Zee claims $8.3m refund from Disney Star over ICC deal
The dispute between media groups Zee and Disney Star over their seemingly broken agreement for International Cricket Council (ICC) rights looks set to intensify, with Zee asserting that its counterpart…
Blackstone exits DFL investment race, CVC sole bidder
CVC Capital Partners is the last remaining private equity firm in the running to become the strategic partner of the German Football League (DFL) in a new media company after Blackstone dropped its bid…
Paramount slashes costs with 800 layoffs
Paramount Global is making around 800 job cuts worldwide amid ongoing restructuring of the company and conversations around a possible sale or merger
Bundesliga protests escalate as league nears D-Day on private equity
The German Football League (DFL) is coming under increasing pressure to hold another vote into its decision to take on private investment and potentially drop the plan altogether following another weekend…
Fox’s Murdoch: Streaming bundle focused on ‘cord-nevers’
Fox's new sports streaming service with ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery that shocked the US media market this week will not affect its lucrative pay-TV business, executive chair and CEO Lachlan Murdoch has insisted.
SA Rugby to set up commercial unit with investor ASG
South Africa Rugby is to establish a commercial vehicle to manage its media and sponsorship rights after striking an agreement with Ackerley Sports Group (ASG), a new unit of the US investment firm
Foxtel’s Ebitda down 14 per cent amid high rights costs
Australian pay-television broadcaster Foxtel has recorded a 14-per-cent drop in earnings, citing increased media rights fees for sports properties as a key driver of the loss
ESPN’s D2C product set for August 2025 launch, ESPN+ subs dip in Q4
ESPN's flagship direct-to-consumer service is set to be in place by the start of the 2025 National Football League season, making the full suite of ESPN's channels available in a standalone service
Schibsted exits ‘risky’ Viaplay investment
Norwegian media group Schibsted has withdrawn its short-lived investment in Viaplay, the embattled pay-television broadcaster refocusing its core business on the Nordic region
Telcos drop Eredivisie-ESPN complaint, but ‘better offer still stands’
Four leading Dutch digital cable television and telecoms operators have withdrawn their complaint to the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), the Netherlands’ competition regulator, over the €750m ($8…
MultiChoice rejects Canal Plus takeover approach
Pan-African media group MultiChoice, owner of pay-television broadcaster SuperSport and pay-television operator DStv, has rejected a full takeover offer from Canal Plus, the France-based pay-television broadcaster, stating it “significantly undervalues” the group and its future prospects.
Diamond Sports agrees contracts with Guardians, Rangers and Twins
Diamond Sports Group, the regional sports network (RSN) owner and operator of Bally Sports, has motioned for new broadcast agreements with the Cleveland Guardians, Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins of…
Betting rights aggregator ALT Sports Data closes $2.5m funding round
California-based sports data and analytics company ALT Sports Data has announced the closing of a $2.5m series seed funding round, co-led by Eberg Capital and Relay Ventures, with participation from others including Trinity West Ventures NuFund Venture Group.
Viaplay sells full Baltic rights portfolio to TV3
Viaplay has finalised its exit strategy in the Baltic region after agreeing to sell on all of its sports rights to media company TV3 Group
Canal Plus launches MultiChoice takeover offer amid proposed Vivendi split
Canal Plus, the France-based pay-television broadcaster, has submitted a full takeover offer for pan-African media group MultiChoice, owner of pay-television broadcaster SuperSport and pay-television operator DStv.
PGA Tour reaches deal over FSG-led $3bn injection, door open to PIF ‘co-investment’
The PGA Tour has reached agreement to secure a $3bn (€2.75bn) investment in a new commercial entity from a US consortium led by Liverpool FC owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG), but has left the door open to 'co-investment' from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).