Mixed Martial Arts
Court ruling opens Germany to UFC
A broadcast deal in Germany – which is close to being agreed – is an important staging post for mixed martial arts promoter Ultimate Fighting Championship in its assault on Europe.
David Allen, Ultimate Fighting Championship SVP and manager of EMEA, and James Elliott, content & distribution director EMEA
Interview with David Allen, Ultimate Fighting Championship SVP and manager of EMEA, and James Elliott, content & distribution director EMEA, on the promoter’s European distribution strategy.
Bellator MMA series expands reach
New rights deals for the Bellator mixed martial arts series have been agreed in Australia, Croatia, Italy, Portugal and Spain, while contracts have also been extended in a number of other territories.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From January 15 to January 28
Media rights clips from January 15 to January 28
RTL9 strikes Bellator rights deal
International pay-television channel RTL9 has acquired rights for the Bellator mixed martial arts (MMA) series.
De La Hoya TV signs up content partner
Australian television content group DSI by Inverleigh has announced a three-year partnership with De La Hoya TV ahead of the US network’s spring 2015 launch.
UFC strengthens Russian presence with VGTRK deal
Russian state broadcaster VGTRK has acquired rights for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s entire programme of mixed martial arts events throughout 2015.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From December 11 to January 14
Media rights clips from December 11 to January 14.
Fight Sports broadens reach through TeliaSonera tie-up
The Fight Sports pay-television channel will launch in Sweden and Finland after media company CSI Sports, the owner of the channel, agreed a carriage deal with telecommunications company TeliaSonera.
UFC in talks with German broadcast partners after ban overturned
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is reportedly in talks with two German broadcasters after the overturning of a five-year ban from broadcast television for the mixed martial arts series.
Kombat Sport to launch dedicated UFC channel through Numericable
Pay-television broadcaster Kombat Sport has agreed a deal to launch a channel dedicated to the Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts organisation, which will be available exclusively through French pay-television operator Numericable.
UFC awards next cycle of rights in Canada
The Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts series has awarded rights in Canada to pay-television broadcasters TSN, RDS and Fight Network.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From October 2 to 15
Media rights clips from October 2 to 15
Spike to launch on UK Freeview platform
Spike, the US pay-television brand that features a variety of martial arts properties, is to launch in the UK market following parent media company Viacom’s takeover of UK commercial broadcaster Channel 5.
Electus to push Bellator MMA globally
US multimedia entertainment studio Electus has acquired the international distribution rights for the Bellator MMA mixed martial arts organisation.
Fight Channel pins down expanded UFC partnership
European satellite and cable television channel the Fight Channel has expanded its rights deal with mixed martial arts organisation the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From September 18 to October 1
Media rights clips from September 18 to October 1
3e to show UFC in Ireland
Irish commercial broadcaster TV3 has acquired rights for the Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts series.