Multiple Sports
YES, MSG Networks form streaming services JV
US-based cable and satellite broadcasters the YES Network and MSG Networks are to form a 50/50 joint venture called Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment (GAME) to work on the networks' streaming services
Donoghue to exit as Amazon’s VP of global sports video
Marie Donoghue, who played an integral role in growing Amazon's sports rights portfolio in the United States, is to leave the online retail giant
DAZN renews Movistar Plus alliance in Spain
Movistar Plus, the Spanish pay-television broadcaster operated by telco Telefónica, has renewed an agreement to carry content offered by OTT subscription broadcaster DAZN.
Viaplay ups monthly prices as part of ongoing rescue act
Viaplay Group has instigated price increases in two of its core markets as it bids to turn the tide after a turbulent 2023 dominated by huge financial losses, share sales and workforce cuts
New player in German FTA market lands DEL rights, DAZN content
A new commercial television channel is to launch in Germany at the start of 2024 offering sports output until now showcased by ServusTV and also on the back of a content agreement with DAZN
WBD ‘in merger talks’ with Paramount Global
Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive David Zaslav and Paramount Global chief executive Bob Bakish have met to discuss a potential merger between the two media giants, according to multiple reports
F1 returns to RTL under multi-property Sky sublicensing pact
German media group RTL has secured rights to Formula 1, the German 2. Bundesliga and the English Premier League as part of a wide-ranging content sharing agreement with pay-television broadcaster Sky Deutschland
Spanish government counteracts Saudi investment in Telefónica
The Spanish government has agreed a deal to acquire up to a 10-per-cent stake in Telefónica, in a move that will counterbalance investment in the telecoms operator from Saudi Arabia’s STC Group.
DAZN operating loss cut but still runs into 10 figures
DAZN recorded an operating loss of $1.06bn (€969m) in 2022 on the back of increased rights fee commitments but higher direct-to-consumer revenues helped to reduce the figure by 22 per cent year-over-year, SportBusiness understands.
Amazon ‘weighing up’ Diamond Sports Group investment
Technology company Amazon is in talks with Diamond Sports Group over a potential investment and streaming partnership deal with the regional-sports broadcaster.
Sharma’s $300m Bluestone fund invests in Magnifi
Bluestone Equity Partners, the private equity fund founded by Bobby Sharma, a former executive at IMG and the National Basketball League, has invested in Magnifi, an AI-powered video editing technology…
RTL Group to sell Dutch broadcast business for €1.1bn
European media conglomerate RTL Group has reached an agreement for the sale of Dutch broadcaster RTL to DPG Media, a multimedia company with operations in the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.
Broadcasters, rights-holders ward off EU geo-blocking ban
Broadcasters and rights-holders have claimed victory in their battle to preserve territorial exclusivity in Europe after law-makers resisted calls to ban geo-blocking
What the rights Amazon drops says about its sports strategy
Amazon has found that premium sports properties drive acquisition of new customers to its Amazon Prime premium service but are not necessary for their retention.
Recast’s financial implosion a warning for OTT monetisation of sport’s long tail
The financial plight of Recast has shone a light not only on the flaws of the streaming platform’s erstwhile business, but also the continuing difficulties of monetising second- and third-tier sports content.
Liberty Media’s tracking stock, SiriusXM combine in new public company
Liberty Media's Liberty SiriusXM (LSXM) tracking stock group will be combined with US radio broadcaster SiriusXM to create a new public company under the SiriusXM name and brand
Sky snaps up US college sports rights at low cost
UK pay-television broadcaster Sky’s acquisition of US college football and basketball rights from ESPN will provide good exposure for American university sport through to the end of the 2024-25 season, but little in the way of remuneration.
ESPN stalwart Wolff to take up Sixth Street position
Russell Wolff, who recently left ESPN after 26 years with the Disney-owned sports broadcaster, is joining global investment firm Sixth Street