Events
Breaking news: European commission challenges UEFA over TV rights
The European Commission (EC) has challenged UEFA's policy of selling free and pay-television rights for the Champions League on an exclusive basis.
WWF to sue over illegal PPV distribution
The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) has filed a lawsuit against Canadian businesses that it claims are illegally distributing pay-per-view telecasts of WWF events.
NTL and Telewest face up to debt problems
UK cable companies NTL and Telewest, both of which will broadcast Premiership pay-per-view soccer next season, may be forced into financial restructuring in the face of mounting debts.
EC outlines UEFA TV rights case
The European Commission has given further details of its concerns over UEFA’s marketing of television rights for the UEFA Cup and Champions League.
Fear of controversy means drug goes untested
The most commonly abused drug in sport, erythropoietin (EPO), is not being tested for at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka as officials try and isolate the sport from recent drugs controversies.
ATP turns to WPP for help
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has hired the chief executive of advertising giant WPP and the chairman of Australian telecommunications company Telesra, to help sell its marketing and media rights following the collapse of its former commercial partner, ISL
Tour De France boosts British Eurosport ratings
British Eurosport’s coverage of cycling’s Tour de France race helped the satellite channel attract an average audience of 69,000 on Sunday.
90 percent of Beijing population watch Olympic vote
Ninety percent of the population of Beijing tuned into the broadcast of the Olympic vote on the host city for the 2008 Games which saw the Chinese capital emerge victorious.
Blatter plays down ISL demise
FIFA President Sepp Blatter has stated that the fallout from the collapse of ISL, FIFA's marketing partner for more than 20 years, was not as bad as was perceived. Speaking at a news conference during a visit to Vietnam on Sunday, Blatter stated that there were no dangers to the staging of the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.
New MD for Extreme Sports channel
The European arm of the Extreme Sports Channel has appointed Phil Jones as its new managing director with responsibility for the 20 countries in which the broadcaster operates.
Tricon in multi-million dollar Fox sports media buy
The Fox broadcast and cable networks have inked a $90 million advertising and marketing deal with giant Tricon Global Restaurants, owner of such fast-food chains as Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.
‘Murdoch bid has priority’, says DirecTV
General Motors, the controlling body behind the Hughes Electronics-owned broadcaster DirecTV, has stated that the merger bid from Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation has the ‘priority right now’. News Corporation has been battling with US satellite platform EchoStar for control of DirecTV which owns the soccer World Cup rights in Latin America amongst other sporting content.
Vodafone wins corporate sponsor war
Mobile phone giant Vodafone is winning the corporate sponsor battle thanks to its £30 million ($42 million) branding deal with English Premier League soccer club Manchester United, according to London-based brand-building public relations firm Propeller Direction.
ESPN men prefer to get out the house
New research from broadcaster ESPN has revealed that more than 1.7 million men in the US watch content shown on broadcast networks or advertising-led cable channels outside of their own homes.
PMP consultancy aids Jersey Sports event bid
Sport England advisers PMP Consultancy have been commissioned by the States of Jersey Sport, Leisure and Recreation Committee (SLR) to prepare a ten-year strategic plan for the ongoing development of sports and leisure services on the island.
Live cricket commentary on CricInfo
Cricket fans will be able to listen to live commentary on the internet for the current one-day international cricket series involving England, Pakistan and Australia.
Avaya reveals details of FIFA deal
US-based Avaya told sportbusiness.com it was not concerned about becoming the first company to sign a sponsorship deal with the new marketing arm of soccer’s world governing body FIFA.
BBC tries to stop Channel 5 soccer ads
The BBC tried to block its rival Channel 5 advertising at the England v Greece soccer match in Athens on Wednesday night.