Media

Germany's main state television channels ARD and ZDF said they had pulled out of talks with media group Kirch over the broadcasting rights for the next two soccer World Cups.

The deal signed between Spanish soccer club Real Madrid and pay-TV group Sogecable has the potential to reduce the club?s huge financial debts, according to analysts.

The head of Renault Sport says it is out of the question for Formula One racing to be broadcast on pay-television channels.

Shares in German media company EM.TV & Merchandising fell over 12 percent on Wednesday after news its rescue deal by rival Kirch might not be approved by the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

Cable company NTL is to become title sponsor of Ref!Link, the device that allows international rugby fans in the stadium to hear a live link of what the referee is saying during a match.

ESPN.com remains the leader of sports internet producers, according to January Media Metrix figures.

Spanish pay-TV firm Sogecable has signed a 3.25 billion-peseta ($17.80 m) deal to market soccer club Real Madrid's image, gaining access to its internet, merchandising and franchising business.

The president of AFL club Carlton, John Elliott, has summoned all his counterparts to a meeting in Melbourne next Tuesday with a view to challenging the existing AFL Commission.

The proposed deal for German media groups EM.TV and Kirch to buy a further stake in Formula One may not be approved, International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley said.

A new Celtic League involving teams from Scotland, Ireland and Wales will start in August, rugby union officials have said.

Competitors at an athletics competition have been critical of the demands placed on them by live cable television coverage.

Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher has expressed fears over the proposed deal to sell another 25 per cent stake in SLEC, F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone?s family trust which holds the commercial rights to the sport.

China urged International Olympic Committee (IOC) delegates arriving on Monday to assess Beijing's bid for the 2008 Games to focus on its credentials as a "sports superpower of 1.2 billion people", not its human rights record.

The Australian Football League has confirmed that Carlton & United Breweries would replace Coca-Cola as the AFL's naming rights sponsor from this year in a four-year deal, as reported by sportbusiness.com last week.

Brazilian football giants Vasco da Gama are reported to be on the brink of liquidation, with the club facing a lawsuit over a breach of contract which could cost $40million.

THE list of sporting events that should be available first on free-to-air television may be revised after an investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Authority.