Multi-sport

French business tycoon Vincent Bolloré, who last week stepped down as chairman of media giant Vivendi, has been charged amid an investigation by French authorities into claims his company helped two African politicians win elections in return for lucrative business contracts.

US media company Comcast has today (Wednesday) announced a firm superior cash proposal to acquire Sky, the European pay-television broadcaster operated by rival media company 21st Century Fox, with Sky withdrawing its recommendation for the offer submitted by Fox last year.

The London offices of the IMG, MP & Silva and B4 Capital agencies were among a number of locations related to the sports-media industry to be visited by European Commission inspectors earlier this month, according to The Guardian.

US entertainment company Sony Pictures Entertainment has seen off what it claims was industry-wide competition to land a multi-year development and production deal with Unanimous Media, the newly-formed production company of NBA basketball superstar Stephen Curry.

French billionaire Vincent Bolloré, who last week stepped down as chairman of media giant Vivendi, is being questioned by police as part of an investigation into allegedly corrupt business practices in Africa, it emerged today (Tuesday).

Sky, one of Europe’s leading pay-television sports broadcasters, has agreed to sell its 20-per-cent stake in the online betting and gaming business, Sky Betting & Gaming, to the Stars Group, a Canadian company that specialises in online gaming.

Yannick Bolloré will take over as the new chairman of French media company Vivendi after his father, Vincent Bolloré, announced he would step down from the position.

US sports-focused OTT streaming service FuboTV has secured a further $75m (€61.3m) from investors including media group 21st Century Fox and European pay-television broadcaster Sky as it seeks to expand operations.

UK pay-television broadcaster BT Sport has revealed plans to launch a pay-per-view channel.

US media company Walt Disney has been told it will have to make a full takeover bid for Sky, the European pay-television broadcaster operated by rival media company 21st Century Fox, even if the UK competition regulator scuppers Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to seize full control.

European Commission officials carried out unannounced inspections at the offices of several companies linked to the sports-media market yesterday (Tuesday).

A consortium led by French billionaire Xavier Niel has completed a deal to acquire a majority stake in telecommunications company Eir, whose pay-television broadcaster Eir Sport is a key player in the Irish sports rights market.

Canadian public-service broadcaster CBC has agreed a sublicensing deal with DAZN, the OTT service operated by digital sports media company Perform, for rights to this year’s Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

US sports broadcaster ESPN has said that its new direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service, ESPN+, will launch on April 12.

German media company Constantin Medien has said the path is clear for it to focus on the sports market after unveiling financial results marked by a period of upheaval at the firm.

Eurosport is seeking a new chief executive after confirmation today (Monday) that Peter Hutton will leave the international sports broadcaster amid a major restructuring to take up a new position at social media company Facebook.