However, Media Partners Asia does believe that there is some hope for the future Research and analytics agency Media Partners Asia (MPA) believes the APAC sport media sector could lose $2 billion (£1.7bn) in revenue from the coronavirus pandemic. Originally the Asia Pacific Sports Media 2020 report had estimated that there would be $5.7 billion […]
Category archives: Broadcast
DFL postpones invitation to tender for Bundesliga rights
The Covid-19 pandemic means it’s no longer aiming to seal a deal by the end of May The German Football League (DFL) has announced that it is postponing its invitation to tender for domestic Bundesliga rights for the 2021-22 until 2024-25 seasons. On Tuesday 24 March, the governing body also decided to extend the suspension […]
Globecast seals partnership with Outdoor Sport Channel
The deal includes an exclusivity agreement in the US Globecast has sealed a multi-year partnership with the Outdoor Sport Channel for distribution of its HD and 4K content to multichannel video programming distributors. The deal is for worldwide distribution and means Globecast will be the exclusive distributor in the US. It covers linear channel and […]
The emerging world of AI-driven solutions in sports broadcasting
Paul Cramer, managing director, enterprise broadcast solutions, Veritone, reveals how the latest in AI technology can help sport broadcasters with advertising and more It’s nothing short of astounding how much – and how quickly – artificial intelligence is transforming our world. Today’s most innovative AI solutions are the ones that amplify human effectiveness, taking people […]
Real Madrid launches Twitch channel
The club has found another way to reach its fans while La Liga is postponed Real Madrid has launched a Twitch channel while football matches have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. With La Liga and the Champions League both suspended, Los Merengues have moved to reach their fans in a new way and […]
UEFA to air free archive content on OTT platform, including Champions League
The governing body is dealing with postponements to elite football UEFA has announced that it will show free archive content from the Champions League and other competitions on its digital channels. With the coronavirus pandemic causing elite football to be postponed worldwide, the governing body is attempting to fill the gap for quarantined fans in […]
Discovery releases statement on Olympics postponement
The broadcaster had been planning to show the event this summer on Eurosport Discovery has released a statement on the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Japan prime minister Shinzo Abe revealed that the competition will be suspended on Tuesday, leaving the broadcaster with a large gap in its schedules this summer. In the […]
La Liga, Universal Music, and more combine for charity festival
The concert will be available through La Liga social and OTT platforms La Liga, Universal Music, Banco Santander, and others have come together to create LaLigaSantander Fest, a charity music festival this weekend. With fans stuck at home during coronavirus pandemic lockdown measures, and football postponed indefinitely, the organisations have decided to run the event […]
Tokyo 2020 Olympics postponed until 2021 to leave broadcasters’ schedules bare
Japan prime minister Shinzo Abe announced that the games will take place next year The 2020 Tokyo Olympics has been postponed until 2021, announced Japan prime minister Shinzo Abe. The IOC had given itself a four-week deadline to make a decision earlier this week, but it has only taken just two days since that announcement […]
LaLigaTV kicks off new show during postponements, La Liga Classics
Live football matches are currently suspended indefinitely in the Spanish top division LaLigaTV has launched a new daily show, La Liga Classics, to air while live matches are suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Airing daily at 6pm GMT on the LaLigaTV channel, the programme will also be available on broadcast partner Premier Sports’ channels […]
Tech Talks podcast: Sunset+Vine launches Scottish Football Extra From Home
Sister site Broadcast Tech talks to Sunset+Vine executive producer Grant Philips about producing sports content during the coronavirus outbreak, in the second of its podcast series – Tech Talks Following the first Broadcast Tech Talk podcast with Coffee & TV CEO Derek Moore, the second in Broadcast Tech’s new podcast series is a conversation between […]
Amazon Prime releases exclusive Andy Murray interview on YouTube
The platform has been hit by postponements to tennis and other sports Amazon Prime Video has released an exclusive interview with Andy Murray while it deals with a lack of live sport. The platform has had to deal with a lack of live sport recently, due to the coronavirus pandemic postponements. In particular, tennis could […]
Noah Media lands rights to AFL doc, The Australian Dream
The company will handle international sales for the film about AFL legend Adam Goodes Noah Media Group has acquired the international sales rights to Australian Football League feature documentary The Australian Dream. Directed by Daniel Gordon, known for his work on Hillsborough, written by journalist Stan Grant, and produced by Oscar winner John Battsek, the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Will Carling blog #6: The odds of placekicking
Will Carling continues his exclusive blog series for Broadcast Sport during a Six Nations tournament now abruptly halted by coronavirus. This week he looks at the insight provided by the new kick predictor on-screen graphics. To say the Guinness Six Nations Championship has been a little unusual this year is an understatement. While the last […]
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 […]
UEFA creates committee to discuss revised European football calendar
Committee aims to remake the calendar to ensure completion of European football leagues in 2020. LaLiga, the Premier League, European Club Association, UEFA and European Leagues have all confirmed they will take part in a UEFA-created committee to discuss the revised European football calendar for 2020. LaLiga president Javier Tebas will represent the league’s interests, […]
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 […]
Bowls Premier League ramps up digital coverage
Australia’s fast-action bowls tournament created live social video highlight clips to help attract a new, younger audience to bowls. The Bowls Premier League (BPL), held in Moama, New South Wales, Australia last month, used cloud-based live video production platform Grabyo to create, edit and deliver real-time social video highlights. The highlight clips were used to […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Will Carling blog #5: Power Game
Will Carling’s fifth exclusive blog for Broadcast Sport, covering the new on-screen graphics unveiled for the Six Nations tournament. This week, Carling discusses the power game, showing where a team is dominant, where a team is lacking, and potentially where the match is being won or lost. The Guinness Six Nations Championship always delivers an […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Could we be seeing the end of pay-tv packages?
Tomos Jones, senior associate at Reed Smith, takes a look at the future of sports broadcasting models What can we learn from recent developments in the pay television sector? Everything from Disney’s deal with Sky to place the new Disney+ service on Sky’s top boxes, to BT’s new packaging structure and the recent news that […]
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, […]
BT Sport shows UK’s first public live 8K HDR sports broadcast
BT Sport tests live 8K HDR and says it will roll it out to BT Sport Ultimate this year BT Sport last night screened the UK’s first public live 8K HDR sports broadcast, showing the second leg UEFA Europa League clash between Arsenal v Olympiacos on a Samsung 82” QLED 8K TV at the Emirates […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Esports and broadcast: A match made in heaven or not a match at all?
From the duration of the game to capturing the atmosphere and considering a change in format, Chris Wood, CTO at Spicy Mango, looks at the challenges broadcasters need to consider before they take the leap into the world of esports. The world of esports is growing rapidly. In fact, it is estimated that esports revenues […]