The National Football League’s (NFL) Cleveland Browns and Skyview Networks announced today an expanded broadcast partnership.

Skyview, cheap an integrated professional sports distribution company specializing in play-by-play broadcast systems, capsule will provide its Satellite Distribution Service to supplement its already existing F.A.S.T. Inventory Management Software and Live Read Logging Service currently utilized by the Cleveland Browns. Skyview will also offer its F.A.S.T. Web Automation to the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network.

“We have been very pleased with our working relationship with Skyview Networks. The Radio Distribution technology is a natural supplement to our existing partnership and will provide great value to the Browns and PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network advertisers for many years to come,” said Jim Ross, senior vice president, business development of the Cleveland Browns.”

Skyview Networks has begun assembling the radio distribution platform across the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network comprised of 28 affiliates. Skyview Networks’ distribution platform includes cost-effective wise satellite receivers that provide the franchise the advantage of copy split-spot insertion (the ability to run different versions of an advertiser message across a network simultaneously) for its statewide network. Cleveland Browns advertisers will now have the option to localize spots market by market or regionalize messaging across the network.

Skyview Networks also makes available its F.A.S.T. Web Automation for the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network. This system works in tandem with the distribution platform to provide broadcast accuracy and savings to the affiliates. The system utilizes Skyview Networks developed relay cue technology that provides cues unique to each break. It is also cost-efficient option for affiliates, eliminating the need to hire and train a board operator for the season.

“We feel privileged to expand the scope of our partnership to include our full menu of services,” said Ken Thiele, president of Skyview Networks. “As a broadcast solutions company, we pride ourselves on being a one stop solution for broadcast needs. With our distribution platform, I am confident the franchise will experience the full benefit of the integration between the Skyview systems.”

Ukraine’s government has revised down estimates of the final cost of preparations for the UEFA European Championships which it is co-hosting with Poland next year.

The latest figure of US$14.5bn is $5.5bn less than the previous $20bn estimate that would be borne by taxpayers. Most of the funding is coming from the public purse, with the rest from the private sector.

Newspaper The Kyiv Post reports that the massive decrease is due to less money needed for building hotels, training facilities and road infrastructure, claiming that the Euro 2012 government program has undergone at least 20 revisions since April 2010.

The report also claimed that Poland is spending about $30.4bn on Euro 2012 preparations, with some financing help from the European Union.

UEFA’s Euro 2012 director Martin Kallen told the Kyiv Post that European soccer’s governing body was indifferent to who was funding preparations, stating: “The important thing is that things are finished on time. We have no real view how things are actually done.”

BTV and BNT have gained Bulgaria rights to UEFA’s premier soccer competitions until 2015.

BTV has gained rights for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League while BNT has obtained just Europa League rights in the country.

Each UEFA Champions League matchnight one live match will be broadcast on free channel BTV Action, followed by a highlights programme. In addition a second live match will be broadcast on pay channel RING.BG each matchnight.

With regard to the UEFA Europa League, public broadcaster BNT will broadcast the best match each matchweek, as well as the weekly highlights programme on BNT1. BTV has been awarded the rights to all remaining live matches and will broadcast one live match on BTV Action and one live match on RING.BG each matchweek.

German Bundesliga soccer club and UEFA Champions League semi-finalist Schalke 04 has reported a profit of US$1.7m for 2010, after a substantial $23.7m loss the year earlier.

The club’s successful run in European club soccer’s elite competition saw turnover increase from $167.9m in 2009 to a record $238.5m. Despite this, the German club’s debts have risen significantly due to the side strengthening its playing squad leading to a rise from $28.2m to $218.6m.

Schalke released a statement saying: “We have invested a lot in the team in order to be competitive in the Champions League.” As a result “personnel expenses”, including players, increased from $89.3m in 2009 to $110.2m in 2010.

In April, coach Felix Magath was sacked amidst claims he had hit the Gelsenkirchen-based club’s finances by backing expensive transfers and salaries for players. The club knocked out Champions League holders Inter Milan in a shock run in the Champions League but were unceremoniously dumped out by Manchester United in the semi-finals.

The club added: “The resulting success on the pitch generated income from the Champions League, the majority of which, however, will not find its way onto the balance sheet until 2011.”

In a major boost for the profile of Rugby across Africa, capsule the Confédération Africaine de Rugby’s (CAR) showcase Africa Cup Division 1A tournament is being broadcast to an unprecedented number of countries in the region.

The Africa Cup 2012 champions will be crowned on Saturday when Uganda take on Zimbabwe at the Jemmel Stadium in Tunisia (1700 GMT) in a final that is set to enjoy record exposure thanks to the groundbreaking deal between CAR and newly-appointed media partner, vialis 40mg LC2 Medias.

With Rugby participation in Africa having increased by 33 per cent since 2007 and more than 80 per cent of players under the age of 20, nurse the deal is intended to broaden exposure of a sport that continues to capture the hearts and minds of African people by providing a direct feed to broadcasters and a free website stream.

LC2 Medias have committed to showing both the final and the third place play-off match between Tunisia and 2011 champions Kenya via the Tunisian National Broadcasting Corporation. The matches will be broadcast across 41 territories and streamed globally via the LC2 website.

“We are delighted the Africa Cup 2012 has already created some momentous matches and thrilling Rugby, and is capturing the emotions of all African Rugby fans, especially those with an eye on England 2015,” said CAR President Abdelaziz Bougja.

“With LC2 Medias now on board we can capitalise on the increasing levels of interest in Rugby across the continent and engage more fans than ever before in the journey for African nations to Rugby World Cup 2015 and in our other leading tournaments.”

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Rugby in Africa continues to blossom and this exciting new deal will ensure that more people in Africa can engage with and enjoy a sport that is reaching out to record numbers of men, women and children across the region.”

“The IRB is committed to working in partnership with CAR to further the growth and profile of Rugby to enable African nations to be more competitive on the global stage and ultimately more competitive at Rugby World Cup.”

 

Having won the English Premier League for a record breaking 19th time over the weekend, soccer giant Manchester United has been further boosted by revealing a strong increase in commercial revenues, according to new financial figures.

In comparison to the same period last year, commercial revenue rose 30 per cent to £75.3m (US$121.9m) in the first nine months of the year.

The club did reveal losses in matchday and media income which fell £5m ($8.1m), something that club attributed to playing fewer home games in the period and pegged entry prices for the Crawley Town FA Cup tie.

The Old Trafford club, which has had a fantastic season on the pitch, reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League where they face Spanish giant Barcelona later this month, also said it had bought back £5.5m ($8.9m) in bonds, taking the overall amount purchased to £29.5m ($47.75m).

Turnover in the quarter was up slightly to £75.2m ($121.7m) from £74.6m ($120.8m) a year earlier, while turnover in the nine months to March was £231.7m ($375.1m), up from £219.3m ($355m). The club said its balance sheet was strong, with £113m ($182.9m) in cash and £765.1m ($1.24bn) of other assets.

Financial figures released this spring showed Manchester United’s parent company made a loss of £108.9m ($176.3m) in 2009-10.

Digitalb has been awarded the media rights in Albania for the UEFA Champions League for 2012-2015, price with the Internet and mobile operations.

During each day, five live matches and a highlights program will be broadcast on SuperSport. All rights have been granted on the basis of neutral platform, the rights are also operated via their websites and on mobile.

Further announcements on the sale of media rights of the co-exclusive and best game of the highlights from Wednesday completed in good time.

 

The FIFA Task Force Football 2014 convened for the first time in Zurich, allergy Switzerland yesterday, apoplectic | May 10, with former Zambian international striker Kalusha Bwalya heading the inaugural session as acting chairman.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter stressed that the time had come to re-introduce such a task force for the first time since the 1990 FIFA World Cup in order to review the game and discuss what the future of soccer could hold. The objective for this task force is to formulate and present concrete solutions at the 2012 FIFA Congress.

Blatter stated: “Unfortunately, Franz Beckenbauer (Chairman of the new task force) was not able to attend today for health reasons, but we prepared this task force meeting thoroughly together. I wish him a quick recovery. I am very proud of the commitment shown by all the members of this group. I am convinced that with this line-up we will endeavour to maintain and even raise the attractiveness of the game, in particular to meet the changing demands of fans, whilst continuing to protect its integrity and core values.”

Beckenbauer sent a message to his colleagues, saying: “I very much regret that I am not able to attend today’s meeting. The FIFA Task Force Football 2014 is a hugely important project and the establishment of this working group, tasked with setting the course for the future of football, is an excellent idea put forward by the FIFA President.”

“Working on this project means a great deal to me personally and I was very much looking forward to today’s meeting, and in particular to seeing my colleagues and experts from the world of football again. Over the last few weeks, we prepared everything in detail and it is now time to address a number of important matters. I am sure that my colleagues will represent me admirably today and that we will be able to lay the foundations together for our future work.”

The first three concrete proposals formulated by the new task force include: allowing a fourth substitution in extra time, particularly for youth competitions; clarifying the interpretation of “Law 11 – Offside” when it comes to interfering with an opponent, especially when it is not physical interference; only in the case of serious fouls as well as when denying the opposing team a goalscoring opportunity should a triple punishment be imposed with a penalty, a red card and a suspension. The group proposed reducing sanctions for simple fouls and holding a player in the penalty area to a penalty and a yellow card only.

World Triathlon Corporation’s (WTC) Ironman and Ironman 70.3 endurance triathlon races, has secured media rights agreements with broadcast partners around the world for a new series of 14×26 minute magazine programmes covering the events.

As a result, coverage from many of the most popular Ironman races will be available to fans on television in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide. The rights were distributed by Infront Sports & Media.

The new agreements in place cover key European, Asian and American territories for the Ironman series – including amongst others the UK (BskyB and Channel 4), Germany (Sport1), Austria (ORF), Scandinavia and Baltics (Viasat, Nelonen and TV2 Norway for selected territories), Czech Republic (Sport1), China (Guangdong TV), Brazil (ESPN Brazil) and the USA (Universal Sports). The sequence is produced by Host Broadcast Services, Infront’s wholly owned subsidiary. 

Following the season’s intro, the Ironman race in Regensburg, Germany was the first event covered by the series. The Ironman race in Zurich, Switzerland on 15 July will be the next in line. Each of the 14 shows – stretching throughout the season – has a length of 26 minutes, featuring race footage as well as location, training, results/ standings, athlete profiles and background information. 

Stefan Petschnig, Executive Manager Europe & South Africa of the World Triathlon Corporation, commented: “The new agreements prove that Infront has effectively detected the needs of broadcasters around the world – bringing the best of our sport into a convenient 26 minute format. On top of that, fans are benefitting not only from one-off broadcasts, but from ongoing coverage as the magazine series stretches out across the entire season.”

Stephan Herth, Executive Director Summer Sports of Infront Sports & Media, said: “The positive take-up shows that broadcasters consider Ironman sports as an appealing product that will be appreciated and followed by their audiences. They value the captivating format, which features the essence of the sport and is produced to the highest international standards. The new contracts mark just the start of a continued push to further extend Ironman and Ironman 70.3 coverage around the world.”

The core Ironman series takes place around the globe starting in April and leading up to the World Championship Finals in Kona, Hawaii each October. The magazine programming offered by the WTC and Infront features most of the European races, including amongst others the Ironman United Kingdom (Bolton, 22 July), the Ironman 70.3 European Championship (Wiesbaden, 12 August) and the Ironman Sweden (Kalmar, 18 August).

The governing body of European soccer, medstore UEFA, erectile has hired commercial agency Lambie-Nairn, who worked on the imagery at the 2006 World Cup and created branding for the successful Qatar 2022 campaign, to design its broadcasting identity for next year’s European Championship.

London-based Lambie-Nairn has been asked to design the opening and closing titles, advertising bumper sequences and on-screen match graphics for the television coverage of the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament, which will be played in Poland and Ukraine.

In addition, Lambie-Nairn will also be responsible for adapting the official Euro 2012 logo, which was originally designed by Portuguese company Brandia Capital in 2009.

Peter Willems, head of marketing activities at Uefa, told marketingmagazine.co.uk: “The Uefa European Football Championship is a global event, watched by millions of fans. We wanted a creative concept that illustrated the huge passion and rivalry, yet also the sense of unity that national-team competition football provides.”