FA senior content innovations manager, Damien Cullen, explained how the governing body has revolutionised its digital output, at the Broadcast Sport Content Summit The FA has seen its online output grow in popularity and quality in recent years, and this has been in part thanks to its tie in with esports competitions. Speaking at the […]
Author archives: Max Miller
Southampton chief claims Premier League could be broadcast before restrictions end
Chief executive Martin Semmens thinks games could be shown every day while people are at home Southampton chief executive Martin Semmen believes that the Premier League could return before coronavirus restrictions are lifted from daily life. Semmens, speaking to BBC Radio Solent, appears to think that play could be possible sooner than expected – despite […]
Australia and Canada pull out of Olympics, leaving broadcasters in lurch
The IOC has given itself a four week deadline to come to a decision Broadcasters will be watching on as the Tokyo 2020 Olympics look less and less likely to go ahead. Australia and Canada have both made it clear that they cannot compete in the games if they go ahead this summer, and it […]
La Liga draws 170,000 viewers and raises £129,000 with esports tournament
Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio won the charity tournament La Liga may not have gone ahead this weekend, but some of the league’s star players did take part in a high profile tournament. The #LaLigaSantanderChallenge went ahead on Sunday, bringing players from 19 of the Spanish top division’s teams together in a charity esports competition played […]
F1 launches esports competition to replace postponed races
The virtual racing series will include current drivers and ‘stars’ Formula One has launched the F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix to replace the races that it has had to postpone. The virtual racing series will start at 8pm GMT on 22 March, the day when the Bahrain GP would have otherwise have gone ahead. It […]
MPs slam government for refusing to consider Six Nations listed status
The DCMS committee had called for the competition’s status to be reviewed The Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport Committee has made clear its disappointment in the government rejecting its calls to consider the Six Nations’ listed event status. The competition has been the focus of reports that it may go behind a paywall, with the […]
Sports Content Summit: Liverpool FC on how to design digital content as a club
The club has seen major growth online with through its social media channels Speaking at the Broadcast Sport Content Summit this month, Liverpool FC head of social media, Adam Hulme, and head of digital video, Mark Volante, revealed how the club thinks when designing content for fans. The club has seen major growth in followers […]
La Liga backs charity esports tournament involving star players
A player each from 19 of the league’s teams is taking part in the competition La Liga and sponsors Santander have joined Spanish video game influencer, Ibai Llanos, in his charity FIFA 20 tournament. The sports commentator put out a call to the league on 16 March to create the competition, and now the governing […]
Eleven Sports to show live Cage Warriors 113 for free in Italy
It will also be on air in Belgium, using an innovative new platform Eleven Sports has announced that it will broadcast the Cage Warriors 113 event for free in Italy this evening. It will also be on air in Belgium, giving sport fans a rare opportunity to watch a live event during the raft of […]
Pay-tv move sees F1 lose audiences but continue sponsorship strength
Formula One has seen some audience growth in China and the USA Formula One has seen audiences shrink but sponsorship stay strong since its move to pay-tv. The racing series has managed to keep revenues steady despite the loss of viewers, in part helped by the unevenness of that loss. The sport has actually seen […]
Fifa to release video archive on YouTube, Weibo, and website
The governing body is looking to give fans something to watch while matches are postponed Fifa has revealed it will release part of its video archive of matches from the World Cup and Women’s World Cup on its site, YouTube, and Weibo over the next six weeks. Matches will first be put on the governing […]
Sports Content Summit: How to create social content for 18-34 age group
Copa90 and Little Dot reveal top tips for targetting key 18-34 audience online Copa90 and Little Dot revealed their audience targeting strategies while talking at the Broadcast Sport Content Summit this month. The two companies largely work through YouTube, creating original and branded content for viewers. However, with so many people trying to gain a […]
ESPN turns to news and studio shows during postponements
Archival content and special events could also help in the medium term ESPN has revealed its plan to continue programming during the sports postponements caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The broadcaster has lost access to many live sport events that would usually fill it schedule over the next month and beyond. However, executive vice president, […]
Premier League and UK football suspended until 30 April, season extended
This will give broadcasters more idea of how long they will have to plan for The Premier League, EFL, WSL, and FA have decided to further postpone their competitions until 30 April at the earliest. In addition, the FA’s board has agreed to alter the rule that states “the season shall terminate not later than […]
Figures across esports eye opportunity during and after coronavirus crisis
The industry is aiming to take advantage of the postponements in traditional sports Several esports figures are looking at the cancellation of traditional sports events worldwide as an opportunity for the industry. With high profile live sport on hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic, a sport that can largely be played online is one of very […]
Sunset+Vine reveals coronavirus production measures
The company is adapting to cope during the uncertain times Sunset+Vine has revealed the measures it is taking amid the coronavirus crisis to keep production running. With many live sports competitions and events not going ahead for the foreseeable future, the company has had to focus on other content. For example, studio-based production and branded […]
FuboTV reveals coronavirus plan for sport streaming service
The sport streaming service is dealing with a lack of live sport American sport streaming service FuboTV is banking on news and entertainment content get it through the postponements to live sport. With the coronavirus pandemic forcing the majority of sporting events to be postponed, the OTT service has taken steps to ensure that it […]
Eleven Sports secures exclusive domestic rights to Belgian football
The deal will run from the 2020-21 season through to 2024-25 Eleven Sports has secured exclusive domestic rights to show the Belgian professional football leagues for the next five years. It is the first time that the company has secured domestic rights for a competition. The broadcaster has had a slightly rocky road to gaining […]
Sky reveals offer to pause sports subscriptions during coronavirus postponements
The pay-tv broadcaster will also stop billing commercial clients Sky has offered to pause payments on sports subscriptions for all residential customers. The pay-tv broadcaster has also revealed that it has stopped billing commercial clients such as pubs and bars as of 14 March. Sky has seen a number of sport competitions that it holds […]
Premier League fears broadcasters may sue over postponed season
The league has plans to fight back if Sky and BT move to recoup losses The Premier League is concerned that broadcasters may attempt to sue them over postponed matches, according to reports. The Daily Mail has reported that clubs are worried about the repercussions were they unable to complete the current season by 31 […]
Coronavirus crisis sees sports stars and teams turn to esports
Football, Formula One, and Nascar are among the sports to have turned to their virtual equivalent Sporting teams and stars have turned to esports in the absence of their normal events with the coronavirus crisis. The majority of sport events have been postponed for the foreseeable future in an attempt to slow the spread of […]
Timeline reveals post-production work on Sport Relief docs
It worked with BBC Sport on Greg James’ Sport Relief Heroes and 2020: Gareth Thomas’ Tour de Trophy Timeline Television North has revealed it provided full post-production to both Greg James’ Sport Relief Heroes and 2020: Gareth Thomas’ Tour de Trophy for Sport Relief. The company, based in MediaCityUK, Salford, provided offline, online edits, and […]
Euro 2020 joins sporting events suspended due to coronavirus
It opens the opportunity for domestic leagues to be finished in the summer The European Championships has been suspended until 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After a meeting at UEFA, the Norwegian FA revealed that the tournament is now planned to go ahead next summer – from 11 June until 11 July 2021. This […]
Blast Premier esports tournament signs exclusive deal with TV2
The broadcaster will have exclusive rights in Norway TV2 Norway has agreed to be the exclusive Norwegian TV and online broadcaster for the Blast Premier season and Blast Premier Showdown Nordic qualifying tournament. The Counter Strike: Global Offensive esports tournament sees teams fighting it out for a $4.25 million (£3.47m) prize pool. TV2 will be […]
Extreme E appoints head of broadcast and technology
Dave Adey will be hoping to bring cutting-edge technology to the sport Extreme E has appointed Dave Adey as its head of broadcast and technology. Adey will be in charge of sourcing cutting-edge technology for remote broadcast and race control vision – with the race series aiming to be environmentally friendly while filming in remote […]
Facebook agrees deal with Fox Sports for Copa Libertadores rights
Fox Sports will continue to partner with the streaming platform in South America Facebook has agreed a deal with FOX Sports for Copa Libertadores media rights in Spanish speaking South America. The social media giant’s streaming platform, Facebook Watch, has renewed a sublicensing agreement with the pay-tv broadcaster to share rights until the quarter-final stage […]
IMG Arena agrees rights deal with European Volleyball Confederation
It has secured a worldwide live betting streaming and betting data rights partnership IMG Arena has agreed a long-term deal with the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) for the worldwide live betting streaming and betting data rights. Sports betting companies will have access to content from all three forms of volleyball – regular, beach, and snow. […]
Sky Sports follows BT Sport with coronavirus statement
The broadcaster is also refusing to refund customers Sky Sports has released a statement regarding the coronavirus’ impact on the sporting calendar. With major sporting events from around the world cancelling or postponing their events, it has left the broadcaster without much live content for its channels. This had left customers wondering if they would […]
BT Sport responds to coronavirus cancellations
All professional football in England has been cancelled until 4 April BT Sport has responded to the news that all English football has joined many major European competitions and leagues in postponing games. The Premier League, EFL, and WSL announced on Friday that matches will be suspended until 4 April. Across Europe, the Champions League, […]
DAZN Japan agrees deal with Honda to offer two free months
The streaming provider has opened the deal to new subscribers during the coronavirus outbreak DAZN has agreed a deal with Honda to offer two free months to new subscribers in Japan. The sports streaming provider has partnered with the car manufacturer to make the offer, which isn’t open to current subscribers, people who have used […]
Premier League suspended: European football’s reaction to Covid-19
Professional football has been suspended across Europe The Premier League, EFL, and WSL have announced that they will suspend professional football in England due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is currently planned to return on 4 April but will be subject to medical advice and conditions at the time. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea […]
Amazon announces Fernando Alonso documentary
The series will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the Formula One champion Amazon Prime Video has announced the creation of a new documentary about two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso, named Fernando. The series will follow the driver and his team’s journey over the last year in five episodes. His manager Luis Garcia Abad, […]
BBC director general expects Six Nations to ‘probably’ go behind paywall despite bidding plan
Tony Hall does not hold high hopes for stopping pay-tv providers BBC director general Tony Hall has revealed how the BBC and ITV hope to keep the Six Nations free-to-air. Speaking at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport hearing on the work of the BBC on Thursday, Hall revealed that the public broadcaster is currently […]
FA looks to monetise women’s football rights for first time
It has brought in media rights specialists, Women’s Sport Group The FA is looking to monetise women’s football rights for the first time. Since 2011, the BBC and BT Sport have shown the Women’s Super League (WSL), only covering production costs in return – reports The Telegraph. The FA also launched the FA Player – […]
Project Access launched to boost women in sport broadcasting
It was started on International Women’s Day Project Access, a cross-industry initiative to help women enter and progress in sports broadcasting – has been launched this week. The organisation is starting off with the help of Host Broadcast Services (HBS), IMG, the English Football League (EFL) and Fédération Française de Tennis (FFT). In addition to […]
EVS withdraws from NAB show 2020
It joins a number of companies pulling out due to the coronavirus outbreak Live broadcasting technology company EVS has announced that it is pulling out of the NAB Show 2020. The decision has come as a precautionary measure due to the coronavirus pandemic. While the outfit – which largely operates in sports broadcasting technology – […]
Mediapro extends virtual advertising deal with Supponor
It will allow the company to continue using the tech in La Liga matches Virtual advertising company Supponor and sports production company Mediapro have agreed a long-term licensing deal for the former’s products. Supponor currently supplies its LED perimeter replacement, Digital Billboard Replacement (DBRLive), and virtual carpet, Natural Scene Augmentation (NSA,) systems to Mediapro. DBRLive […]
Pico reveals AI viewer interaction system for Israeli broadcaster
It is hoping to identify fans for future use Sport technology company Pico has revealed its AI fan interaction system currently in use by the Israeli Sports Channel (Sport 5) and used by KAN 11, the Israeli public channel for the 2018 World Cup games. Pico has supplied AI technology to the TV channel for […]
The future of sport is streaming, says Greg Rusedski
The former UK no.1 is a part of Amazon Prime Video’s tennis coverage Former world no.4 tennis player and current Amazon Prime Video pundit Greg Rusedski believes streaming services are the future of sports broadcasting. Speaking to Broadcast Sport, the 46-year-old explained how younger audiences and affordability will allow streamers to overtake traditional broadcasters. Rusedski […]
Coronavirus could force free-to-air Premier League and pause of 3pm blackout
Administrators and broadcasters have met to discuss options The FA is likely to allow the screening of games during the 3pm blackout if the coronavirus forces games to be played behind closed doors. In addition, Sky and BT could be asked to make games free-to-air, reports The Times. However, steps would also be taken to […]
PGA Tour agrees improved media rights deal with US broadcasters
There is also a deal for the LPGA The PGA Tour has agreed a nine-year media rights deal with CBS Sport, NBC Sport, and ESPN. The new agreement sees CBS and NBC keep coverage of the tour, with ESPN acquiring the digital rights for its ESPN+ service. Variety reports that the deal is an increase […]
The Future Group reveals Pixotope role in Super Bowl mixed reality production
It helped to create the reveal of the NFL’s 100 All Time Team The Future Group has revealed its virtual production system, Pixotope, was used in the creation of a seven-minute mixed reality production at the 2020 Super Bowl. Six installations of Pixotope were provided for the segment – about the NFL’s 100 All Time […]
MotoGP partners with Facebook to provide exclusive content
Fans will be able to see behind-the-scenes content MotoGP has partnered with Facebook to show content during the 2020 season. The motorbike racing series has agreed to allow original and exclusive behind-the-scenes content from the competition to be made available worldwide on Facebook Watch. It will cover all four classes of MotoGP. The streaming platform […]
Sky Creative Agency releases F1 promo
The first grand prix will take place next weekend Sky Creative Agency has released its campaign for the new Formula One season. As part of the TV, radio, print, social and digital campaign, the company has delivered a promotional video starring drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc for Sky Sports. Filmed across four continents in […]
Whisper to produce F1 coverage for Channel 4
It includes highlights of all races as well as live coverage of the British Grand Prix Whisper has agreed a deal to produce Channel 4’s Formula One coverage. Starting with the 2020 season, the company will be continuing its work for the broadcaster – they have covered all F1 races for C4 since 2016. The […]
Extreme E agrees deal with BBC for digital coverage
The off-road racing series will be live and free-to-air for British viewers Extreme E has agreed a multi-year deal with BBC Sport to show the sport on its digital channels. First announced at the Broadcast Sport Content Summit on Thursday, the off-road racing series will be shown live and free-to-air to British viewers – from […]
Sky Sports to increase women’s coverage
The broadcaster is looking to improve both digital and broadcast output Sky Sports is to expand its coverage of women’s sport events. The broadcaster is to increase output on its TV channels as well as its digital content through YouTube. The women’s Six Nations, WNBA, Netball Superleague, and women’s cricket are among the events and […]
MPs demand answers on Six Nations paywall deal
It has been reported that a deal is likely The Digital, Media, Culture, and Sport (DCMS) committee has demanded answers from the Six Nations on reports that a pay-tv deal is possible. It has asked Chairman of the Six Nations Council, John Jeffrey, to explain the timescale and operations of the bidding process. MPs have […]
EFL open to online streaming in international rights sale
It is searching for advisors to help with a new deal The English Football League (EFL) is looking for independent advisors to provide advice during the sale of its international broadcast rights for post-2022. The organisation is looking to find the best approach to maximise both value and exposure in this round of rights sales. […]
Espanyol to deploy Supponor ad tech at all La Liga home matches
Tech can be used to tailor advertising to different regions and demographics La Liga side RCD Espanyol de Barcelona are to deploy Supponor tech at all home league games. Espanyol will be making use of the company’s DBRLive virtual replacement technology and NSA virtual carpet placement solution. These are used in conjunction with LED perimeter […]
Little Dot builds sport offering with WING acquisition
This is Little Dot’s first acquisition as it kick starts its growth plan Little Dot Studios has acquired production studio WING. Majority owned by All3Media, the digital video content producer works with sport and consumer brands and is looking to improve its offering to the former with this move. It will boost its sports production […]
Study predicts over half of pay-tv subscribers to ditch subscriptions
44% of fans already don’t subscribe to traditional pay-tv platforms A study from Grabyo has found that 54% of pay-tv subscribers plan to stop paying for one within the next five years. The ‘Value of Video Report 2020: The Consumer Strikes Back’ report used data from 13,000 consumers from UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, US, […]
Infront and European Volleyball Confederation seal expanded 12-year deal
Infront will distribute media rights for CEV’s competitions Infront and the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) have agreed a 12-year media rights distribution deal. The agreement was approved by a CEV extraordinary general meeting in Vienna, Austria on Saturday 29 February. It runs from 2020 to 2032 and means that CEV events across all three disciplines […]
Matchroom Sport to launch OTT platform with StreamAMG
Darts, pool, and snooker will be available on the service Matchroom Sport is to launch an OTT platform, Matchroom Live, to provide both live and on-demand content. The service will be built and powered by StreamAMG, and will have access to a range of sports from Matchroom’s portfolio. Its offering will include live broadcasts of […]
Facebook to stream two FA Cup fifth round matches
Reading v Sheffield United and Leicester City v Birmingham City will be shown through the platform Facebook has reached an agreement with the FA to stream two FA Cup fifth round matches this week. The social media giant will show Reading v Sheffield United and Leicester City v Birmingham City through its Facebook Watch platform […]
Discovery and UCI partner to promote Track Cycling World League
Discovery channels such as Eurosport will give the league exposure Discovery and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) have partnered to promote the Track Cycling World League, which will get underway in 2021. Signed at the 2020 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Berlin, the agreement will mean that the management, TV production and distribution of […]
DAZN to expand to over 200 territories in 2020
It will include the UK and Ireland for the first time Sport streaming service DAZN is to expand to over 200 territories in 2020, focusing on boxing first. The first phase of the expansion will include an English language service focused on boxing and other fight sports. It will include fights from promotional companies such […]
Six Nations refuse BBC/ITV joint bid to leave door open for Sky
It would be the first time in two decades it has gone behind a paywall It has been reported that the Six Nations has refused to let the BBC and ITV make a combined bid for the competition in the next set of TV rights bidding. This could leave the door open for Sky Sports, […]
DAZN Spain reveals 49 million hours of sport watched in first year
78.1% of the hours were spent watching live sport DAZN has revealed that over 49 million hours of sport were watched on its platform during its first year in Spain. The live and on-demand sport streaming service launched in the country on 27 February 2019, and has since shown coverage of competitions such as MotoGP, […]
LaLiga to produce 4K El Clasico with latest tech
It is looking for a high-quality viewer experience LaLiga are set to produce the latest El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona in 4K-HDR when it is played on 1 March. It is also set to make use of some of the latest camera and graphics technology to film one of the biggest games in […]
Gravity Media reveals the tech behind 4K Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury 2 coverage
It produced BT Sport’s coverage of the fight Gravity Media has revealed the tech behind BT Sport’s live 4K PPV coverage of last weekend’s heavyweight world title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. The fight, which saw Fury crowned the WBC world heavyweight champion after Wilder’s corner threw in the towel during the seventh […]
How the Coronavirus is affecting major sport events
The Six Nations’ Italy v Ireland has already had to be postponed This week the Six Nations match between Italy and Ireland was postponed as a precaution after the Coronavirus outbreak. The last occasion a similar situation happened was back in 2001, when foot and mouth disease saw Ireland play its final three tests in […]
SailGP reveals enhanced broadcast to be shown in 146 territories
It has teamed up with Whisper Films and others SailGP will be showing its second season in 146 territories around the world. In addition, the organisation has added analysis, graphics, app features, and more to enhance their broadcast around the world. It will be remote produced by Timeline from their Ealing Broadcast Centre, and use […]
Esports media rights predicted to grow rapidly in 2020
Media rights and streaming are among the factors pushing growth in revenues A report on esports from market intelligence company Newzoo expects the sport to grow quickly in 2020. Year-on-year the sport is predicted to have 15.7% growth from 2019, not including revenues from betting, fantasy leagues, similar cash-payout concepts, and revenues generated within games […]
Insight TV commissions first 8K sport documentary
It will be its first fully 8K documentary Insight TV has commissioned its first 8K UHD HDR sport documentary, Sandboarding on Dragon Hill. Premiering in June on Insight TV, the show is being produced by French production company FastFokus – who previously worked with Insight TV to produce MTB Heroes: Trailblazers. 2020 could be a […]
HBA Media secures worldwide coverage of the Saudi Cup
It will have a potential reach of more than 400 million HBA Media has secured worldwide coverage of the world’s most valuable horse race, the $20 million (£15.45m) Saudi Cup. The international horse racing media rights agency has worked to make sure that the race will be broadcast in every major continent to over 100 […]
Brainstorm to collaborate with Spidercam for sports AR
They have already deployed joint installations to cover WWE Real time 3D graphics and virtual studios company Brainstorm is to collaborate with Spidercam to further develop augmented reality technology for sport and other events in large spaces. Cable camera and robotics manufacturer Spidercam has already worked with Brainstorm to cover the WWE season, including the […]
STADS launches with Del Piero backing to assist targeted in-stadium ads
Advertisers will be able to target advertisements towards certain markets through broadcast Advertising platform STADS has launched with the backing of legendary Italian footballer Alessandro del Piero. Founded in 2018, the company aims to make it easier for advertisers to find the relevant games and times to place their commercials on in-stadium boards for international […]
Research reveals substantial live sport streaming opportunities
Although viewers demand a high-quality service Research from Verizon Media has revealed that there could be significant opportunities for sports streaming platforms in the current market. Conducted with over 5,000 fans across the US, UK, France, Germany, and Holland, 63% of the respondents said that they would be open to paying more for a sports […]
Embankment gets in the saddle with sales of documentary Frankie
The feature follows Frankie Dettori over a season in racing Embankment is to begin worldwide sales of documentary Frankie at the European Film Market (EFM). Currently in production, the feature follows legendary horse racing jockey Frankie Dettori over a season in the sport – celebrating his successful career along the way. It is directed by […]