LFP and CVC search for silver linings despite error-strewn Ligue 1 process
The Ligue 1 media rights process began last September with vaulting ambition and ended last month with the league’s media value tumbling. Nevertheless, the league’s senior management have identified many positive facets of the overall commercial performance of LFP Media this year which bode well for the future.
WBD faces ‘uphill battle’ in lawsuit against NBA
WBD is seeking a jury trial over the NBA's rejection of its matching rights proposal, but sports law experts believe the media giant may struggle to prove it has truly matched Amazon’s bid in terms of distribution reach and financial structure.
Premier League strikes another big uplift in South Korea
E-commerce company Coupang secured Premier League and FA Cup rights in South Korea after agreeing to pay an increase of over 66 per cent on the league’s current deal with Eclat Media Group.
Speedway Ekstraliga continues rise with Canal Plus deal to 2028
Canal Plus Polska will remain the exclusive domestic rights-holder of the PGE Ekstraliga, Poland's top speedway league, until at least 2028 after agreeing to pay a slight increase on its current deal.
U-Next bets big on Premier League to drive subs
U-Next secured exclusive media rights to the Premier League and FA Cup in Japan in what is now a seven-year deal in order to reinforce its competitive edge in the local streaming market.
WBD triples US French Open media rights value in blockbuster deal
Warner Bros. Discovery has taken over as the exclusive broadcaster of the French Open in the US in a deal that nearly tripled the media rights fees on the previous cycle.
In Focus: US Open
SportBusiness Media takes a deep dive into the numbers driving the commercial success of the US Open, which concludes on Sunday.
In Focus: Wimbledon
SportBusiness Media takes a deep dive into the numbers driving the commercial success of Wimbledon, which starts on Monday.
In Focus: Uefa club competitions
SportBusiness Media takes a deep dive into the numbers driving Uefa club competitions' commercial success.
Bundesliga fee in Poland returns to pre-Viaplay levels with Eleven
The Bundesliga’s new agreement in Poland with Eleven Sports will see the league earn less than in its current deal with Viaplay, which was thought to have been 'inflated' beyond market value.
Team maximises Uefa club rights value in Japan through Wowow renewal
Wowow retained exclusive media rights to Uefa club competitions in Japan from 2024-25 to 2026-27 after agreeing to pay a hefty increase in direct negotiations without a tender process.
Market slump and weak yen shrink Euro rights value in Japan
Japanese pay-television broadcaster Wowow and streaming platform Abema secured non-exclusive rights for the ongoing Uefa European Championship at a fraction of the fee for the previous tournament.
European leagues stumble towards D2C as market hardens
Direct-to-consumer services will soon be an integral part of the international media strategies of Europe’s top five football leagues, with Serie A and the Bundesliga rolling out D2C offerings in multiple markets and the Premier League developing its product.
Ligue 1’s D2C proposal fails to convince as solution to rights impasse
The 2.1 million first-season subscriber target for Ligue 1’s mooted D2C channel has been questioned by one of France’s most experienced sports rights executives, while the league’s own clubs have cast doubts on the viability of the proposal.
Serie B lowers expectations in new tender with season looming
Lega Serie B’s “final offer to the market” will likely end in reduced domestic rights fees for the second division of Italian club football, though the league is hoping a key change in its approach will result in belated deals ahead of the new season.
Commercial head Sluzewski Monti leaves Torneos
Santiago Sluzewski Monti, who has headed up media rights trading at Torneos for the last eight years, is leaving the Argentina-based rights agency.
ESPN lands US Open renewal, cedes host broadcast
ESPN has renewed its rights to the US Open in a long-term 12-year deal that will run to 2037 but sees the United States Tennis Association assume host broadcast duties.
Paralympics opening ceremony delivers big numbers for France 2
Huge interest on the back of Paris’ hosting of the Olympics helped France Télévisions multiply its audience for the Paralympics opening ceremony by nearly 10 times compared to Tokyo 2020.
PGA Tour tees up world, country-specific feeds
The PGA Tour is looking to lay the foundation for improved international rights revenues by introducing a dedicated world feed
Disney-Reliance merger approved by regulator
The merger between Disney Star and Reliance Industries, the majority owner of Viacom18, has been approved by the Competition Commission of India (CCI), subject to the compliance of “voluntary modifications”.
Paramount nets Australian football package including 2027 WWC
Paramount has laid down a signal of its intent internationally by retaining domestic media rights to the national team matches of Australia’s Matildas and Socceroos with an expanded level of inventory.
IPC opts to broaden YouTube role at Paris 2024
YouTube is taking on an increased role at the Paris 2024 Paralympics with the dual purpose of distributing additional live coverage and providing the streaming output on the official International Paralympic Committee website.
CazéTV suspends Ligue 1 broadcasts amid piracy concerns
CazéTV makes move after being “informed” that French users were circumventing geoblocking measures to watch its Brazilian coverage of Ligue 1.
LaLiga’s Óscar Mayo: We’re betting on Peak as the agency of reference for the future
SportBusiness Media this week talked to LaLiga’s executive director, Óscar Mayo Pardo, about why Ocho Sport Advisors was chosen to form a joint venture to transform LaLiga’s global media rights strategy, and how it will work.
Nicholas John, head of sports, Astro
The head of sports at Malaysia's Astro tells SportBusiness Media about the pay-television broadcaster's evolving business
Adam Kelly, co-president, IMG Media & Events
Adam Kelly, co-president of IMG Media & Events, speaks to SportBusiness Media about the past, present and future of the company.