Eleven Sports, the self-styled "Netflix for Sports" controlled by League Championship side Leeds United Owner Andrea Radrizzani, saved its U.K. and Ireland operation from closure "after reaching deals to offload the rights" to Serie A and continue coverage of La Liga, according to Mark Sweney of the London GUARDIAN. Eleven Sports "has now concluded talks with IMG, which acts as the agent for Serie A rights," with the U.K. and Ireland rights for the Italian league to move to pay-TV operator Premier Sports from March until '21. Premier Sports also picked up the rights to the Dutch Eredivisie and Chinese Super League from Eleven Sports. Eleven Sports also signed a new agreement with La Liga, "giving it temporary breathing space" to keep broadcasting matches in the U.K. and Ireland until the end of the season. In the summer, Eleven Sports will have to negotiate another deal with La Liga. Eleven Sports said that as a result of "the cutback in sports offered on its service," existing and new subscribers will automatically see the price of the monthly pass reduced to £4.99 ($6.52) from March 1 (GUARDIAN, 1/30).
IN ITALY: DIGITAL TV EUROPE's Andrew McDonald reported Premier Sports, "which also takes Chinese Super League rights from Eleven," described the agreement as a "monumental deal," which adds to its existing content offering of Pro14 rugby, Scottish Cup football and the NHL (DIGITAL TV EUROPE, 1/30).
'STRATEGIC DECISION': The PA reported in a statement confirming the switch, Eleven Sports said that it was a "strategic decision we have taken to amicably end our partnership with IMG, the agency that manages these rights," adding it had "the intention of continuing beyond" the end of the current season to broadcast La Liga matches (PA, 1/30).
