Three years after Larry Kestelman was "laughed out of the Channel 10 offices," the National Basketball League owner is "closing in on a landmark free-to-air commercial TV deal." Kestelman confirmed all five Australian networks have "shown interest in working with the NBL and he is buoyant of securing a contract" in the next "30 to 60 days." It is understood Channel 9 and 10 are the "leading candidates for weekly coverage alongside Fox Sports" (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 5/12).
Formula 1 revealed that its TV audience is down so far this year. F1 CEO Chase Carey said that "viewers have been turning off in Brazil and Italy," which are home to the sport's two largest TV audiences. F1 lost viewers in Italy due to pay-TV channel Sky Italia becoming the exclusive broadcaster this year while interest has "softened" in Brazil as its local hero, Felipe Massa, retired at the end of last year. Carey: "TV viewership in the first four races is down a touch. Sort of down mid-single digits" (London INDEPENDENT, 5/11).
At least three major studios are "locked in a bidding war" over rights to a biopic about former ManU Manager Alex Ferguson. A senior production source at Paramount "predicted the planned movie about him will be a hit." The source said, "He is a global giant in his sport and it will become a must-see movie for millions of fans" (London DAILY STAR, 5/13).
20th Century Fox's "odd and omnipresent marketing campaign" for Deadpool "dragged in" English former football player David Beckham. Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool turned up at Beckham manor to apologize to the playmaker for mocking his voice in the original movie. The trailer starts with Beckham watching and rewatching the insult before Deadpool appears at the door to express his "deepest" apologies (THE DRUM, 5/13).
Football Federation Australia and Dentsu Aegis Network's lifestyle marketing and operations business, MKTG, announced the launch of FFA Media. As part of the five-year deal, MKTG will commercialize the FFA Digital Network and lead its commercial strategy and operations, working in concert with A-League and W-League clubs as well as member federations (A-League).
