American Football
BSkyB and NFL agree long-term rights extension
UK-pay-television broadcaster BSkyB has extended and expanded a rights deal for the NFL American football league.
IMG beats Yes TV to NFL but keeps rival on board
The IMG Events & Media agency beat off strong competition for the Asian rights to the US National Football League earlier this month, including a bid by incumbent rights-holder Yes TV.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From September 4 to September 17
Media rights clips from September 4 to 17
NFL touches down in India with Sony Six
Indian media company Multi Screen Media (MSM) has acquired rights for American football’s NFL in a four-year deal, from 2014-15 to 2017-18.
DirecTV closing in on NFL Sunday Ticket extension
US satellite television provider DirecTV has said that it expects to seal an extension to its key rights deal with the NFL American football league by the end of the year.
Big East teams up with Fox Sports for new digital channel
The Big East Conference college sports organisation has partnered with the Fox Sports division of US network Fox to launch a new digital channel offering free live streaming of 80-100 events annually.
FCC to vote on ending sports ‘blackout’ rule
Tom Wheeler, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission in the United States, has said the media regulator will vote on September 30 on a proposal to end the ‘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.
NFL expands IMG partnership into Asia
American football’s NFL has appointed the IMG agency to distribute media rights in parts of Asia.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From August 21 to September 3
Media rights clips from August 21 to September 3
TV4 acquires American football rights in Sweden
Swedish commercial and pay-television broadcaster TV4 has acquired rights for various American football events in the country over the next two years.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From July 24 to August 20
Media rights clips from July 24 to August 20
Syracuse returns to IMG
The athletics division of US college Syracuse University has signed a new multi-year multimedia rights deal with IMG after last month electing to break its contract with the agency in favour of seeking a more lucrative agreement.
ESPN remains home of NFL in Brazil
Pay-television broadcaster ESPN has extended its rights deal for the NFL in Brazil through the 2016 season of the American football league.
ESPN and MAC Conference agree long-term rights deal
US sports broadcaster ESPN has agreed a new long-term media rights deal with the Mid-American Conference US collegiate sports competition.
Learfield Sports extends with Boise State
The Learfield Sports agency has extended its multimedia rights partnership with the athletics division of Boise State University through the 2024-25 season.
SEC Network set for launch
The SEC Network, a new pay-television sports channel dedicated to college sport’s Southeastern Conference, will launch later today (Thursday).
Learfield adds Northern Illinois to college sports roster
The Learfield Sports agency has agreed a 10-year deal to manage the multimedia rights of the athletics division of Northern Illinois University.
Charter signs up for SEC Network launch
Pay-television operator Charter Communications has agreed a carriage deal with sports broadcaster ESPN for the SEC Network, a new pay-television sports channel dedicated to college sport’s Southeastern Conference.