Broadcast & OTT - SportsPro https://www.sportspro.com/broadcast-ott/ Sport industry news and insights for the latest broadcast, sponsorship, OTT, technology and endorsement deals Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:33:59 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/cropped-spicon.jpeg Broadcast & OTT - SportsPro https://www.sportspro.com/broadcast-ott/ 32 32 NRL seals US$3.7bn media rights deals with Foxtel, Nine and Sky NZ https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/nrl-foxtel-nine-sky-nz-rugby-league-broadcast-rights-contracts-july-2026/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:33:53 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487580 New seven-year contracts are the richest in Australian sporting history and represent a 90 per cent uplift in cash received per annum.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/NRL-Penrith-Panthers.jpg Sky confirms UK£1.6bn ITV takeover https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/itv-sky-acquisition-comcast-broadcasting-uk-fta-july-2026/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 16:03:09 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487525 Pair promise to deliver more FTA sport than ever through combined offering.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ian-Wright-ITV.jpg The business of the Tour de France: The curious commercialism of a national obsession and global spectacle https://www.sportspro.com/features/finance-investment/tour-de-france-cycling-business-model-sponsorship-media-rights-tech-finances/ Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:46:34 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487395 The Tour de France has transformed from an icon of French culture into a global media property and is backed by one of the most unique business models in sport.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Tadej-Pogacar-Tour-de-France-2025-H.jpg ITV ‘agrees’ 2027 Rugby World Cup rights deal https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/itv-2027-rugby-world-cup-uk-rights-advertising-nations-championship-july-2026/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:55:57 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487353 Commercial network beats out BBC to show tournament on FTA television.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Jamie-George-England-Rugby-World-Cup-2023.jpg What does Comcast split mean for NBC, Sky and sports broadcasting in the UK and US? https://www.sportspro.com/analysis/broadcast-ott/comcast-split-nbcuniversal-sky-sports-broadcasting-uk-us-future/ Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:38:03 +0000 Comcast is dividing its communications and media businesses into two separate companies. SportsPro explains what this means for the future of sports broadcasting either side of the Atlantic and the industry as a whole.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/NBC-Sports-Microphone.jpg 30 years of Opta: How a marketing exercise became the foundation of soccer’s AI future https://www.sportspro.com/features/broadcast-ott/stats-perform-opta-data-analytics-ai/ Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487090 Three decades ago, an upstart management consultancy kickstarted a data revolution in English soccer. Now, Opta is at the forefront of an AI-driven transformation of how the sport is watched, played and understood.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Harry-Kane-Goal-H.jpg Fox uses World Cup to push IndyCar ratings to 15-year high https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/fifa-world-cup-fox-indycar-viewership-road-america-june-2026/ Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:46:20 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=487092 Road America averaged remarkable 1.8m viewers thanks to starting directly after Spain vs Saudi Arabia game.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-98.jpg StreamAMG to power Shrewsbury Town FC’s streaming service https://www.sportspro.com/announcements/spotlight-agency/streamamg-to-power-shrewsbury-town-streaming-service/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:20:21 +0000 Partnership marks a significant step in enhancing the club’s digital offering and fan experience.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-69.png The business of Wimbledon: Careful modernisation of tennis tradition protects a unique commercial model https://www.sportspro.com/analysis/finance-investment/wimbledon-commercial-business-model-tennis-broadcast-sponsorship/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:30:00 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486958 Wimbledon's brand preservation over revenue maximisation has made it tennis's most prestigious event. Now it is seeking to modernise its facilities and broadcast coverage to maintain this position.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Iga-Swiatek-Wimbledon-2025.jpg Wimbledon and BBC extend to 2033 and agree to refresh coverage https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/wimbledon-bbc-aeltc-rights-extension-fta-tv-uefa-june-2026/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:15:47 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486995 Sport's longest running relationship will extend beyond a century with new deal.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Jannik-Sinner-Wimbledon-2025-Trophy.jpg ‘The most valuable real estate’: How the 2026 World Cup became a springboard for AI innovation https://www.sportspro.com/features/technology/fifa-world-cup-2026-ai-lenovo-tech/ Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:01:00 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486803 Four years on from the launch of ChatGPT, the 2026 World Cup is the first edition of sport’s biggest event to truly integrate AI across the board, with Lenovo playing a major role. With intelligent technologies influencing everything from tournament broadcasts to referee systems, SportsPro breaks down how AI is transforming how the competition is operated and consumed by fans.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/World-Cup-AI-1.jpg Apple streams Austrian GP for free in bid to expand US F1 audience https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/apple-streaming-austrian-gp-free-f1/ Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:58:59 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486673 Follows deal with rival streaming giant Netflix to simulcast Canadian Grand Prix.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Copy-of-WP-News-story-template-97.jpg Fox eyes streaming reach, advertising and aggregation with US$22bn Roku swoop https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/fox-roku-streaming-acquisition-reach-advertising-june-2026/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:48:52 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486520 Deal expands streaming distribution for broadcaster’s sports properties such as the NFL, MLB and Nascar.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Fox-Sports-Mic.jpg 2026 Fifa World Cup opener delivers US ratings record as Fox ‘escapes’ punishment for airing ads instead of action https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/fifa-world-cup-2026-fox-telemondo-us-ratings-viewership-advertising-june-2026/ Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:28:21 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486467 Strong viewership for US and Mexico’s first matches underlines commercial appeal of tournament while intensifying scrutiny of in-game advertising.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Folarin-Balogun-US-Fifa-World-Cup.jpg The biggest sports production in history: How Fifa World Cup 2026 broadcasters will deliver the most complex tournament of all time https://www.sportspro.com/features/broadcast-ott/world-cup-2026-broadcasters-itv-bbc-fox-advertising/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:34:02 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486278 The 2026 World Cup is unprecedented with 104 games and four time zones. SportsPro unpacks the differing approaches to production, distribution and consumption for the tournament.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Fifa-World-Cup-Lionel-Messi-Broadcast-TV-Camera.jpg The rise of the athlete-creator: why more sports stars are building their own YouTube channels https://www.sportspro.com/thought-leadership/insights/opinions/the-rise-of-the-athlete-creator/ Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:39:28 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486128 More and more athletes are turning into YouTube creators. Little Dot Sport managing director Robbie Spargo explains how the shift is reshaping sports media from an audience and brand perspective.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Copy-of-Untitled-1000-x-600-px-1000-x-600-px-32.png Fifa World Cup 2026 digital push continues with Fifa+ DAZN launch and Netflix video game https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/fifa-plus-dazn-netflix-world-cup-video-game-dtc-launch-june-2026/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:20:24 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=486010 Fifa+ gets new life on DAZN as Fifa details first non-EA video game since split.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Kylian-Mbappe-France.jpg Breaking down the business of the US$13bn 2026 Fifa World Cup https://www.sportspro.com/analysis/sponsorship-marketing/fifa-world-cup-2026-business-revenue-ticketing-broadcast-sponsorship/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:30:00 +0000 World soccer’s showpiece tournament arrives in North America with equally high levels of anticipation and concern. SportsPro maps out the business behind Fifa’s biggest ever World Cup.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Donald-Trump-Gianni-Infantino.jpg Champions League final records 7m UK viewers and ‘3.7m’ illegal streams https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/champions-league-final-tnt-sports-uk-piracy-illegal-stream-june-2026/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:17:46 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=485869 Arsenal a draw for pay-TV broadcaster but report claims European soccer showpiece hit by piracy.

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]]> https://www.sportspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PSG-H.jpg India’s Zee strike last-minute ‘US$40m’ 2026 World Cup broadcast deal https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/fifa-2026-world-cup-zee-india-broadcast-rights-deal-june-2026/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:00:29 +0000 https://www.sportspro.com/?p=485814 Soccer’s governing body reaches agreement in major market just days before the tournament kicks off.

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