Portuguese public broadcaster RTP "will launch an Ultra HD channel for this summer’s Euro 2016 football tournament in France." A total of eight matches "will be broadcast live on the RTP Ultra HD channel, always at 20:00 local time." The new channel will be distributed by pay-TV operators NOS, Vodafone Portugal and Meo (Portugal Telecom) (ADVANCED TELEVISION, 5/4).
CA OPENS TENDER: Cricket Australia released an invitation to tender for its media rights in three key territories -- the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. The rights, which include int'l and domestic cricket content, cover the five-year period from '16-17 to '20-21. Bidders can seek to acquire rights for one of or a combination of more than one of the respective territories, and choose between (or acquire both) of the available packages in each territory (CA).
MEDIA BRIEFS ...
BeIN Sports announced the broadcast rights of the 2016 IAAF Diamond League as well as the rights to additional IAAF competitions taking place in '16. All IAAF events will air exclusively on beIN Sports, beIN Sports en Español and beIN Sports Connect. IAAF Diamond League will consist of 15 meets showcasing 32 individual event disciplines (beIN Sports).
Eurosport attracted more than 42 million distinct European viewers for its coverage of the 2016 World Snooker Championship which was held at the Crucible in Sheffield from April 16 to May 2. As a result, the Discovery-owned broadcaster recorded an increase reach of 4.5% versus the '15 edition and an average audience rise of 18% (Eurosport).
Male-focused channel Dave has "made its second move into live TV sports, striking a deal with Frank Warren to air the British Darts Organisation’s World Trophy event." Pay-TV company UKTV, the owner of channels including Gold and Alibi, "has been emboldened to extend its coverage of live sports after attracting a record-breaking peak audience" of 3 million to watch David Haye’s comeback against Australian Mark de Mori free-to-air on Dave in January (London GUARDIAN, 5/4).
German pay-TV operator Sky "has extended its broadcast rights deal with the German FA (DFB) and will continue to show the country's cup competition." It is unclear why Sky "has not yet officially communicated the renewal." The DFB announced "almost two months ago that German public broadcaster ARD extended its deal for the rights period '16-17 until '18-19" (SPONSORs, 5/4).
