Multiple Sports
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
DAZN chooses Germany for free in-app streaming, plans wider roll-out
Global sports streaming service and media company DAZN has launched a free in-app offering for users in Germany, marking the first phase of what will be a wider global roll-out.
Organ makes move from Right Formula to IMG
The IMG agency has appointed Luke Organ as senior vice-president of global partnerships for its media business.
Canal Plus brand returning to the Netherlands after 18-year hiatus
The Canal Plus name is to return to the Netherlands early next year, with the pay-television operator announcing that its new streaming platform in the country will include the Eredivisie, the top domestic…
IMG Digital Trends Report pinpoints smart stadia, AI and women’s sports engagement
Improved monetisation and cost savings through smart stadiums, heightened use of generative AI by rights-holders and harnessing women’s sports properties’ underlying engagement are three of the main tre…
Viaplay bids to stave off insolvency with SEK4bn equity raise, debt renegotiation
Viaplay Group has laid out plans for a “recapitalisation programme” that includes a SEK4bn (€350m/$382m) new equity raise and SEK14.6bn debt renegotiation package as part of measures designed to stave off insolvency and subsequent bankruptcy.
Recast relaunches with overhauled business model
UK-based streaming platform Recast has relaunched following its recent administration and takeover by Content Technology Partners (CTP), shifting away from being a content destination in itself
Premier Sports returns after buying back embattled Viaplay’s UK business
Premier Sports, the pay-television broadcaster, is to return to UK homes early next year after announcing it has reached an agreement to buy back the business that it sold to Nordic media giant Viaplay…