Pitch Int'l "will continue to distribute England Rugby’s international rights after the sports marketing agency agreed a four-year deal with Sky Sports."
The rights distribution deal "was agreed in conjunction with the Rugby Football Union and comes after the national governing body extended its partnership with pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sports last October" (RUNNING RUGBY, 8/19). ... ESPN has acquired the exclusive multiplatform rights to the 35th America's Cup in more than 40 territories, including Mexico, Central America and South America, and non-exclusive rights in the Caribbean. Under the agreement, ESPN Int'l will air live racing and highlights of all events in the 35th America's Cup, including the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series in '15 and '16; the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Qualifiers and Challenger Playoffs; the Red Bull Youth America's Cup; and the America's Cup Match presented by Louis Vuitton from Bermuda in May and June '17 (America's Cup). ... BeIN Sports "has renewed its exclusive broadcast rights for three of the top football leagues in the world" -- La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 -- and will deliver them across the U.S. from the '15-16 season. All matches "will be available on beIN Sports, beIN Sports en Español and beIN Sports Connect, the network's live streaming platform" (RAPID TV NEWS, 8/20).
