All articles tagged with #broadcast rights
NBC Sports is resuming NBA broadcasts after over two decades with an 11-year deal that combines traditional and innovative approaches, including new graphics, AI features, and on-the-bench analysis, blending nostalgia with modern technology and talent.
John Martin, new CEO of PFL, predicted the UFC's success after its 2016 sale and aims to leverage the UFC's growth and the recent $7.7 billion Paramount deal to establish PFL as a major player in MMA, emphasizing the sport's mainstream appeal and potential for growth as a strong second to UFC.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell indicates that the league is considering renegotiating its lucrative TV contracts with major networks as early as next year, leveraging its strong viewership and changing landscape to secure better deals and more flexibility before the current contracts expire after 2029 and 2030.
UFC negotiations for a broadcast deal initially considered Netflix due to its recent WWE deal, but ultimately Paramount secured the rights with a $7.7 billion offer, as Netflix was only interested in marquee events and not the full fight volume, leading UFC to choose a platform that could offer comprehensive coverage and growth potential.
The CW and Pac-12 have extended their partnership through the 2030-31 season, including broadcasting football, men's and women's basketball games, and women's basketball tournament finals, as part of the league's ongoing transformation and expansion.
Major League Baseball and ESPN are close to a new deal that would give ESPN digital rights to all out-of-market games, in-market rights for five teams, and an exclusive weekly game, potentially replacing the current MLB.TV model and impacting existing consumers. The agreement, still pending finalization, could reshape baseball broadcasting and is part of MLB's strategy to sell rights beyond 2028, amid ongoing league negotiations and potential labor disputes.
NBC is negotiating a nearly $200 million per year three-year deal with Major League Baseball to potentially broadcast Sunday Night Baseball, Sunday Night Basketball, and Sunday Night Football, aiming to create a year-round primetime sports lineup on Sundays and strengthen its position in the evolving TV landscape dominated by live sports.
The NBA announced its TV schedule for the 2025-2026 season, which will be broadcast across three networks—ABC, NBC, ESPN—and two streaming platforms—Peacock and Prime Video—making the schedule more complex for fans to follow, with games spread throughout the week on different platforms.
The UFC secured a $7.7 billion broadcast rights deal with Paramount, surprising even UFC CEO Dana White, which will include all UFC events on Paramount+ starting in 2026 and potentially some on CBS, marking a shift away from pay-per-view models and highlighting the importance of live sports for streaming services.
The UFC's upcoming fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev highlights the high costs of watching UFC events, which currently require expensive subscriptions. However, with the UFC's broadcast rights shifting to Paramount and CBS for $7.7 billion over seven years, UFC fans can expect more affordable access to fights in the future.
ESPN is acquiring NFL Network and distribution rights to NFL RedZone, gaining a stake in the NFL, which aims to focus more on selling games rather than operating its own network. The deal enhances ESPN's NFL coverage, including more live games and RedZone expansion, while raising questions about its impact on journalism, game scheduling, and sports gambling. The agreement still requires league owner and regulatory approval.
ESPN and the NFL have finalized a significant media partnership, with ESPN gaining control over NFL Media assets like NFL Network and RedZone, and the NFL acquiring up to 10% ownership in ESPN, ensuring a long-term broadcast relationship and potential programming improvements.
The UFC is in ongoing negotiations for a new broadcast rights deal, with multiple networks interested, including ESPN, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal may be split among several outlets, and negotiations could extend until September, with the UFC seeking around $1 billion annually. The outcome remains uncertain as discussions continue.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver indicated that the league is likely to explore expansion soon, with interest from various cities including Seattle, especially after the new broadcast rights deal. The league is also considering changes to the All-Star Game format and regular season length, amidst ongoing playoff games.
The Cincinnati Reds will have a new television partner for the 2025 season after failing to reach a new broadcast rights deal with Diamond Sports Group, which owns FanDuel Sports Network. The Reds sold their stake in the network for just $1, having previously taken less money annually to acquire it. This change may simplify fan access to games, potentially through MLB's direct-to-consumer model. Additionally, the Reds announced changes to their 2025 promotions, including less frequent use of City Connect uniforms and fireworks, and dates for bobblehead giveaways.