Golf
MEDIA RIGHTS: From February 12 to 25
Media rights clips from February 12 to 25
PGA Tour extends DirecTV deal
US satellite-television provider DirecTV has extended a media rights deal for four PGA Tour golf tournaments.
Sky doubles fee to take British Open away from BBC
UK pay-television operator Sky doubled the rights fee for the exclusive domestic rights to golf’s Open Championship last week in order to wrest it from public-service broadcaster the BBC.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From January 29 to February 11
Media rights clips from January 29 to February 11
Sky follows Open deal with rights to women’s event
The Ladies Golf Union and IMG agency have signed new five-year agreements with UK pay-television broadcaster Sky and public-service broadcaster the BBC for rights to the Women’s British Open.
PGA Tour targets youth market with new internet video network
Digital media company Bedrocket and the PGA Tour have entered into a joint venture to launch golf-specific internet video network Skratch TV.
R&A chief defends Sky’s Open deal
UK public-service broadcaster the BBC “switched emphasis” when bidding for the domestic rights to Britain’s Open Championship to focus on highlights after the first round of offers for live coverage in the recent auction, according to Peter Dawson, the outgoing chief executive of the R&A, which operates the golf tournament.
Open Championship enters new era with Sky deal
UK pay-television broadcaster Sky has confirmed a five-year deal with the R&A, which operates the Open Championship, for the acquisition of exclusive live rights to the British golf major.
Sky poised to land Open Championship rights – report
UK pay-television broadcaster Sky has agreed a deal with the R&A, which operates the Open championship, over the acquisition of rights for the British golf major, according to the Daily Mail.
RTE tees up Irish Open rights
Irish public-service broadcaster RTÉ has agreed a three-year deal for rights to the Irish Open golf tournament.
Labour considering reform of ‘crown jewels’ list – report
UK political party Labour is considering plans to increase the number of sporting events included on the ‘crown jewels’ list reserved for broadcast on free-to-air television, according to the Independent.
Sky holds Open talks with R&A
UK pay-television broadcaster Sky has reportedly held talks with the R&A, which operates the Open championship, over the potential acquisition of rights for the British golf event, according to the Daily Telegraph newspaper.
Open sharing deal unlikely as Sky digs in on exclusivity
TV Sports Markets understands that a sharing arrangement for the domestic rights to golf’s British Open between a free-to-air and a pay-television broadcaster is unlikely.
Sky challenges BBC in Open rights tender
The tender process for golf’s Open Championship in Britain is currently taking place, with UK public-service broadcaster the BBC in danger of losing its exclusive domestic rights to pay-television broadcaster Sky, according to the Daily Telegraph newspaper.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From November 27 to December 10
Media rights clips from November 27 to December 10
Coliseum strengthens golf portfolio with fresh rights deals
Online subscription service Coliseum Sports Media has secured the rights to several high-profile golf tours and events for the New Zealand market.
MTG adds Wimbledon rights alongside retained golf offering
Modern Times Group, the multi-territory commercial and pay-television broadcaster, has acquired the exclusive live rights for the Wimbledon tennis championships in Denmark and retained a host of high-profile golf properties in the Nordic and Baltic regions.
Ancient club has modern dilemma: money or exposure?
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A) could be forced to sell at least some of the rights to the British Open to pay-television if it is to increase the media rights value of the competition.