Media

Despite the UK test case ruling in the House of Lords last week that set a precedent that the soccer World Cup in 2002 must be broadcast on terrestrial television if at all, rights holder Kirch has still not given up hope of interest from a pay-TV operator.
Pay Per View Sport in Europe: A new report from SportBusiness Group: Click here

New Zealand pay television operator Sky Network Television Ltd has named private broadcaster TV3 as Sky's free-to-air broadcast partner for rugby union and cricket for the 2001/02 season.

The delay of the WBA heavyweight title fight between John Ruiz and Evander Holyfield was a "blessing in disguise" for Chinese organisers facing heavy losses on the event, promoter Don King said.

MP Web, the new media division of Media Partners, has signed an exclusive deal with Tele+ for the acquisition of internet rights for 18 Italian Serie A and Serie B soccer clubs.

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

Dallas cut the ribbon on Friday on a new $420 million (?480m) downtown arena for the NBA Mavericks and NHL Stars, packed with luxuries and high technology that made it the nation's most expensive hockey and basketball facility.
How to Develop Effective Naming Rights Strategies: A new report from SportBusiness Group: Click here

The UK?s betting operators are joining forces to launch a #2m ($2.9m/?3.3m) press and PR campaign and `Axe the Tax? poster in time for the scrapping of the nine percent betting duty on October 6.
Online Gambling: The Regulation of Global Sports Betting: A new report from SportBusiness Group: Click here

NTL, the UK?s largest cable company which will broadcast Premiership pay-per-view soccer next season, is to axe 5,000 jobs over the next two years in a bid to meet its ambitious growth forecasts.
Pay Per View Sport in Europe: A new report from SportBusiness Group: Click here

In the wake of the recent test case ruling involving the Independent Television Commission (ITC), 2002 World Cup TV rights holders the Kirch Gruppe could decide not to part with the rights, meaning UK viewers would be unable to watch the tournament to be held in Japan and South Korea.

Satellite channel British Eurosport has secured the live television rights to the US Open tennis tournament held at Flushing Meadow in a new four-year deal.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) has denied that it is on the verge of making a bid for London to host the Olympic Games in 2012, sportbusiness.com has learned.

Pan-European broadcaster Eurosport has hired Dr Patrick Cotting from financial institution Credit Suisse to take up the post of director of strategic alliances.

UK terrestrial broadcaster Channel 4 has told sportbusiness.com that it will not renew its contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) when the current deal expires at the end of the year due to increasing difficulties with editing the violent content.

UK online gambling company Sportingbet.com has acquired SportsBook, a major US-focused internet sports bookmaker, for $51million (?58m).
Online Gambling: The Regulation of Global Sports Betting: A new report from SportBusiness Group: Click here

Sports network Sportev has launched the world?s first online interactive boxing video channel just a few weeks after signing an exclusive agreement with boxing promoter Frank Warren.

Boxing promoter Don King said British boxer Lennox Lewis has signed a contract with him to challenge WBC and IBF world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman to a rematch.