German public broadcaster ZDF "will show a documentary on the 2016 Rio Games as part of its Olympics countdown program on Thursday." The documentary with the title "Der brasilianische Patient - Olympialand in the Krise" ("The Brazilian patient - Olympic host country in crisis") will air at 9pm. It is an attempt to take a look at the "real issues surrounding" the Olympic Games (DWDL, 8/1).
Austrian free-to-air TV channel ServusTV "once again announced that it will cease operation." This time, however, "only in Germany and Switzerland." ServusTV said, "ServusTV will focus on its home market and its Austrian program identity. As a consequence we will return the broadcast licenses in Germany and Switzerland and end our broadcast operations in those countries at the end of the year." The channel earlier this year announced that it "will cease operations, only to come back a day later to say it will continue its broadcast operations" (SPONSORs, 8/1).
Dutch telecom KPN and Fox "have to return to the negotiation table" following the verdict of the judge that Fox can apply different pricing models for its Fox Sports channels from the various platforms. KPN had asked the court to continue the current distribution agreement, which ran out on Sunday, under the existing conditions. The operator claimed that Fox "is looking to force Dutch platforms to include its Fox Sports 1 channel in their basic packages." However, the broadcaster said it is "only offering a number of pricing models, one of which is to carry Fox Sports 1 in the basic tier." The judge ruled that Fox "can ask different prices from KPN, as the current contract is up for renewal" (BROADBAND TV NEWS, 7/29).
ESPN announced it will make the full season of the Premier League available exclusively and live on WatchESPN in Brazil. The TV transmission of matches on ESPN, ESPN Brasil and ESPN+, combined with the streaming on WatchESPN, means that all 380 games of the '16-17 EPL season will be available for the first time in Brazil. Premier League ratings grew by 31% on ESPN’s TV networks last season as compared to '14-15 (ESPN).
