Media

I7, the online and broadband content and distribution subsidiary of Australian broadcaster Seven Network, has formed an alliance with Evolution Technologies to supply Evolution with a sports channel as well as three additional channels each covering the 2000 Olympics.

The 20 chairmen of the English Premier League soccer clubs are meeting today to start discussing the terms for the League?s lucrative new broadcast deal.

A spokesman for BSkyB has denied reports it has made any bid for exclusive UK television rights to the soccer World Cup in 2002.

BSkyB has opened talks with Ladbrokes, the leisure group owned by Hilton, that could lead to online betting on Sky Sports television channels and internet web sites, reports the Financial Times.

The president of Carlton, the Australian Rules football club, has called the AFL?s decision to impose heavy sanctions on any club that fails to adhere to the current television rights agreement ? an absolute joke?.

Glasgow Rangers have disclosed plans to float the business on the stock exchange and that talks are underway with a number of potential media investors.

BSkyB has offered #250million for exclusive UK television rights to the World Cup 2002, according to The Observer newspaper.

Internet company Pacific Century CyberWorks has snapped up the exclusive internet broadcasting rights to international cricket matches played in India.

European Rugby Cup Limited (ERC) and ISL Worldwide have mutually agreed to end their relationship with regard to the European Cup and European Shield competitions.

The New Zealand Rugby Football Union, whose All Blacks team is one of the world?s best recognised sports brands, has appointed Media Content Sports Media Advisors as television and media rights consultants.

Peter Velappan, the general secretary of the Asian Football Confederation, has attacked the decision by Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli to withdraw from the semifinals of this year's Asian Cup Winners' Cup.

Nike Inc. and Metastream Corp., a provider of marketing visualization solutions for the Web, have signed a viewer distribution agreement.

The British government has dismissed a report that England might team up with Germany in a bid to host soccer's 2006 World Cup rather than press its own case.

KVP Venture, a $250 million venture capital fund founded by Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer and two Indian partners, has decided to invest in four Indian startup companies focused on the internet and software, the fund has announced ? and a sporting venture is set to be among the first to benefit.

D.C United has attracted an offer from US cable company Discovery Communications to become a major sponsor of the MLS club in a one-year $150,000 (#95,000) deal, reports the soccer industry newsletter, the Soccer Investor Weekly Bulletin.

Internet bookmakers William Hill can expect a $10m pay-out if Tiger Woods wins this year's golfing Grand Slam and have slashed the odds about that happening from an opening quote of 250/1 to 33/1.