American Football
ESPN’s media arm strikes NFL rights deals in Africa
The media distribution arm of pay-television broadcaster ESPN has agreed one-year rights deals for African pay-television providers Supersport and Zuku Sport for coverage of this year’s NFL American football league playoffs and Super Bowl championship game.
NFL furthers online video drive with Facebook partnership
American football league the NFL has bolstered its online video offering by agreeing a partnership with social media platform Facebook, according to the Wall Street Journal newspaper.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From November 27 to December 10
Media rights clips from November 27 to December 10
ESPN Player to deliver College Football Playoff in Europe
Pay-television broadcaster ESPN is to deliver coverage of the new US College Football Playoff collegiate American football competition to audiences in Europe via ESPN Player, its live and on-demand sports streaming service.
ESPN extends rights for Collegiate Bowl
US pay-television broadcaster ESPN has extended a rights deal for the 2015 edition of the annual Collegiate Bowl American football game.
Senators tackle NFL’s blackout rule
The National Football League’s (NFL) controversial ‘blackout’ policy has come under further pressure after senators from both US political parties warned the American football competition to end the rule or risk congressional action to restrict its lucrative antitrust exemption, which allows teams to negotiate television broadcast rights together.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From November 13 to 26
Media rights clips from November 13 to 26
Aereo files for bankruptcy in wake of MLB and NFL battle
Online streaming company Aereo has filed for bankruptcy protection in the wake of June’s US Supreme Court ruling that it breaches the copyright of major sports leagues and their broadcast partners.
Cleveland Browns sign new broadcast partner
WEWS NewsChannel 5, the ABC affiliate of media company E.W. Scripps, has agreed a multi-year local broadcast rights deal with NFL American football team Cleveland Browns.
Judge grants injunction against embattled Aereo
A district court judge in the US has granted a temporary injunction against Aereo, blocking the video streaming service from transmitting broadcasters’ programmes to its subscribers.
Arizona State terminates IMG College rights contract
The athletics division of US college Arizona State has said it will terminate its multimedia rights deal with IMG College and is claiming more than $5m (€3.9m) in damages from the agency for failing to meet contract obligations.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From October 2 to 15
Media rights clips from October 2 to 15
NFL and Sony to develop audience
The National Football League’s deal with media company Multi Screen Media this month is seen by both parties as a long-term proposition to develop the sport in India.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From September 18 to October 1
Media rights clips from September 18 to October 1
ESPN seals rights to American football development league
Pay-television broadcaster ESPN has acquired rights to the new Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL) American football development competition, according to Forbes.
DirecTV seals extension of NFL Sunday Ticket rights deal
Satellite-television provider DirecTV has extended an exclusive rights deal for the NFL American football Sunday Ticket package of programming.
FCC votes to end blackout rule
The US Federal Communications Commission has voted to eliminate the controversial ‘blackout’ rule that blocks certain sports events from being shown live on television in their local market if they fail to meet a specified level of ticket sales.
FCC set to vote on sports ‘blackout’ rule
The US Federal Communications Commission will today (Tuesday) vote on a proposal to end the controversial ‘blackout’ rule that blocks certain sports events from being shown live on television in their local market if they fail to meet a specified level of ticket sales.