Rugby Union
Breakthrough in France after ERC lowers its sights
The recent Heineken Cup rugby deal in France brought to an end a negotiation that lasted well over a year, as French broadcasters resisted the demands of the rights-holders for rights fees comparable to those in the UK.
TV RIGHTS CLIPS 2: Basketball, cricket, golf, Formula One and World Cup rugby
Basketball: French pay-television broadcaster Canal Plus extended its deal with the Euroleague for a further three years, from 2010-11 to 2012-13, paying €880,000 ($1.14m) per year.
TV RIGHTS DEALS 2: NFL, athletics, cricket, cycling, handball and rugby union deals
American Football: UK commercial broadcaster Channel 4 acquired the live rights to all of the NFL’s Sunday night games for the 2010 season.
Loss of top teams could slow Dahlia subscriber growth
Dahlia loses coverage of the Serie A matches of Palermo and Fiorentina to rival Mediaset from this season, threatening its recent strong growth.
FASTRACK: News in brief, Issue 14:15
RCS-RDS wraps up Premier League ... Battling HiTV wins Serie A ... Japan to reclaim Tour's No.1 status ... Crozier's role in ITV rugby win ... Universum seeking ZDF successor.
FASTRACK: News in brief, Issue 14:14
Sky tempted by 2015 World Cup ... Neo turns down ESS for Sony ... Premier League drops Win TV.
TV RIGHTS CLIPS 2: Asian Games, baseball, motorcycling, rugby union and tennis
Asian Games: Indian cable and satellite broadcaster Zee acquired the cable and satellite rights for the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou in a deal with the Dentsu agency
TV RIGHTS DEALS 2: Boxing, golf, motorcycling, rugby, swimming and tennis
Boxing: German commercial broadcaster RTL acquired the exclusive rights for the next five fights of the Klitschko brothers, Vladimir and Vitali, in a deal with the Klitschko Management Group worth a reported…
Boom time is over but sports rights offer a way out
Romanian pay platform Boom is fighting to keep sports rights after its parent company entered administration.
TV RIGHTS CLIPS 2: Basketball, ICC events, ice hockey, rugby union, tennis deals
Basketball: Euroleague Basketball agreed deals in the UK, China and Iceland for the 2010 Final Four
BBC expects steady growth in HD sports viewing
The latest figures from the UK and beyond showing HD's growth.
France Télévisions hits record with Grand Slam Bleus
Big audiences followed the successful teams this year, with Grand Slam winners France landing the biggest domestic audience increase.
TV RIGHTS DEALS 1: Premier League, Serie A football, F1 and Rugby World Cup
Football: Maltese cable operator Melita acquired live pay-television rights for all 64 matches of the 2010 World Cup in a sub-licensing deal with public service broadcaster Public Broadcasting Services
World Cup deal messy but worth it
New Zealand government part-funds three-broadcaster deal.
TV RIGHTS CLIPS 3: Badminton, biathlon, golf, rugby and other sports
Badminton: Pan-regional broadcaster Eurosport acquired live and highlights rights for the semi-finals and finals of this month's European Men’s and Women’s Team Championship. Co
Champions League tops the pile but sports viewing slips
Six Nations and The Open the only major events to see their top audiences rise.
Timing works for Premiership as ESPN picks up Setanta tab
English rugby union’s Guinness Premiership becomes second UK property in a week to benefit from ESPN’s expanded UK budget.