Events

The Bank of New Zealand has withdrawn as sponsor for New Zealand's international men's cricket series, effective from the 1999/2000 southern hemisphere summer, the bank said recently.

US broadcast network UPN rescheduled its September 6 edition of `WWF Smackdown? so as not to pull viewers away from the MTV Video Music Awards to air that night.

Australian and South African rugby union will benefit from extra broadcasting revenue if a plan for the two countries? teams to clash offshore in Asia goes ahead.

Negotiations over the French TV rights to the 2002 World Cup have stalled because rights holders the Kirch Group have set the price too high, a French newspaper has reported.

The World Anti-Doping Agency will locate its permanent headquarters in Montreal, with the aim of improving the credibility and effectiveness of its war on the use of drugs in sports.

Latin American pay-TV broadcaster the Pan-American Sports Network (PSN) has renewed its deal for coverage of Italian soccer?s top-flight league, Serie A.
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Attheraces, the new name for the Go Racing consortium backed by Arena Leisure, BSkyB and Carlton Communications, has appointed three additional members of the senior management team to supplement last month?s recruitment of marketing director Gavin Bisdee.

Australia is seeking an international trotting carnival with Harness Racing Victoria this week launching a new look December showpiece in a bid to attract northern hemisphere competitors in the long-term.

Asian broadcaster ESPN Star Sports and HK pay-TV operator Cable TV have reached an agreement for non-exclusive distribution of ESPN and Star Sports channels in Hong Kong.

US production and distribution firm Showtime Event Television has announced a slight decline in revenue for the pay-per-view event industry in the second quarter of 2001.
Pay Per View Sport in Europe: A new report from SportBusiness Group: Click here

Walt Disney Co's ABC and ESPN units say US golfer Tiger Woods will appear in several special events for the two television networks over the next five years, in a widely expected deal.

The Chinese government will welcome bids from international investors to take part in the design, construction and operation of competition venues for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing via a public bidding process.

Swimming's top doping expert has questioned the reliability of tests used to detect erythropoietin (EPO), one of the most dangerous banned drugs in sport.

The programming costs of the UK?s digital terrestrial sports channel ITV Sport will hinder the share performance of the network?s owners Granada and Carlton Communications, according to a research report from leading broker Merrill Lynch.

Viewing figures for the NBA play-offs are continuing to slide with the four games broadcast over the Memorial Day weekend averaging only a 6.3 television rating, down 16 per cent on the previous year.

The International Amateur Athletic Federation's (IAAF) annual grand prix final will be held over two days from 2003 and at the same venue every year, IAAF president Lamine Diack said on Sunday.