Global media services company MX1 is to distribute Premier League match broadcasts "to TV service providers and audiences worldwide as part of a multi-year deal." MX1, which was formed "from the merger of SES Platform Services and RR Media," signed up Premier League Productions after agreeing to a deal with IMG, PLP’s production partner. MX1 has a "long-standing and growing relationship with IMG," providing global content distribution services for other IMG sport properties (RAPID TV NEWS, 9/1).
ESPNW LAUNCHES DOWN UNDER: ESPN, Australia's leading digital sports publisher, launched espnW -- a dedicated section to celebrate women and sport within the new Australian edition of ESPN.com. Founded in the U.S. in July '10, espnW is available across digital, TV, films, events, educational platforms and social media. The Australian iteration of espnW will live within ESPN.com (ESPN).
CAFL TV DEAL: The China Arena Football League, China’s first professional American football league, announced a partnership with China’s leading online digital network, iQIYI, as the exclusive provider of the league’s inaugural season. All 18 games, played over six weekends in the "Super Series" tour, will be seen live. All games will also be available for later viewing, along with a special weekly magazine show and daily features and information developed by the CAFL’s own media company (CAFL).
RECORD AUDIENCE: Star India has attracted India’s "highest-ever TV audience" for an Olympic Games, with 191 million people tuning in to the broadcaster’s "fiesta of sports from Rio in August." Two out of every three viewers in India watched the Olympics on the Star Sports network, "with the remainder watching coverage by public broadcaster Doordarshan, according to audience data from BARC" (RAPID TV NEWS, 9/1).
