Media

European media rivals Vivendi Universal and Bertelsmann have unveiled a long-awaited deal to merge their sports rights interests into a European giant worth more than 1bn euros ($876.4m).

Shares in Betinternet.com, the internet sports betting company, soared 14 percent to 28p today after it said it had received approaches from predators which could lead to an offer.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to establish its own TV broadcasting organisation for future Olympic Games.

Sportsworld media, the sports marketing and television production company, has increased its foothold in Melbourne, Australia after reaching an agreement with the Australian Football League and Melbourne?s Eastern Football League to produce a television programme called The Champions.

Granada Enterprises is lining up six companies, including Coca-Cola, to bid for sponsorship of UK-based broadcaster ITV's coverage of English Premier League soccer should the league's new title sponsor, Barclaycard, turn down the rights. The other five companies involved in a potential bid for the TV rights have not been disclosed.

London soccer clubs Wimbledon and Queens Park Rangers have discussed a possible merger, Wimbledon chairman Charles Koppel said on Thursday.

The world?s largest media company AOL Time Warner is in talks with the UK?s largest cable company NTL about a distribution alliance for content over high-speed broadband networks.

Sportingbet.com, the online sports betting company, has signed a five year contract with Ozmosa to provide online sporting and gaming bets in East and South East Asia. Ozmosa?s 7,000 customers can currently bet on televised US baseball and the casino game, Baccarat.

Craigie Taylor International (CTI), the public relations, sponsorship and consultancy company, has appointed Fred Scarlett, one of the members of the gold medal- winning British rowing team at the Sydney Olympics. Scarlett?s job role will include identifying and matching potential new clients and sponsors.

The subscription-for-services model could be the surprise leader in growing internet revenues across digital media over the next five years, according to Alexander Brown, president/COO of Virtual Spectator.

Race on Sunday, sell on Monday. That is why car makers and sponsors are spending hundreds of millions of dollars on backing Formula One world championship racing cars.

The Gaelic Athletic Association has voted not to allow soccer matches to be played at Dublin?s Croke Park venue.

The future of Formula One hangs in the balance on Wednesday, after the sport's leading car makers announced they intended to set up a rival championship.

Australian broadcaster Seven Network aims to undermine its rival Nine Network?s coverage of Australian Football League in 2002 by making use of its extensive archive of AFL matches.

Hong Kong, weary of trying to crack down on illegal football betting, is instead thinking of legalising soccer wagers to head off crime and reap millions of dollars in tax revenue. For the full story see the FEATURES section of sportbusiness.com.

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