World leader in Human Resources Solutions, ampoule Adecco will return to become the international sponsor of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, joining Fed Cup by BNP Paribas in the process. The agreement will begin on 4 December and will run through until 2013.

Adecco have previously sponsored the Davis Cup between 2002-2007 and will be reinstated as the Official HR Partner of Davis Cup and Fed Cup. In addition to on-site banners and hospitality, the company will now sponsor the on-court speed serve package for both competitions.

“It is always good news when a top sponsor like Adecco chooses your competition. It is even better news when they decide to come back,” said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti. “This shows a real vote of confidence for both Davis Cup and Fed Cup and reinforces the current strength of both competitions. We are delighted to welcome Adecco back. They are both friends and colleagues and we know, from experience, that they are a great fit for Davis Cup and Fed Cup.”

Adecco Group CEO, Patrick de Maeseneire commented on the decision to sponsor the Davis Cup: “We are proud to partner with the International Tennis Federation in what is the world’s largest international annual team competition in sport. By also acting as the Official HR Partner, we will be showcasing our top-class abilities in recruiting for large scale international sporting events.”

The British Broadcastin Corporation (BBC) have agreed a new four-year deal with the Rugby Football League (RFL) to remain as the principal broadcaster for the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

The BBC’s current contract was due to expire at the end of this season and the new deal means the Wembley final will continue to be shown by the corporation until the end of 2016.

The BBC will also continue to broadcast live matches from the fourth round onwards.

RFL chairman Richard Lewis said: “The Challenge Cup has a rich heritage and I am delighted that the competition’s long association with the BBC is to continue.”

BBC director of sport Barbara Slater said: “The BBC has been the proud broadcast partner of the Challenge Cup for over half a century so we’re delighted to be continuing our long and successful relationship with the RFL.

“Rugby league forms a key part of the BBC’s rights portfolio and through our new four-year deal we look forward to ensuring this prestigious and fiercely-contested tournament reaches an ever-growing audience.”

by Ismail Uddin

Baton 2010 Ltd., recipe owners of Charlton Athletic soccer club of NPower League One, viagra 100mg have agreed the sale of the club to former chief executive Peter Varney.

Legal and financial due dilligence processes have now begun and the takeover is expected to receive official clearance before the 24th December. Charlton fan Richard Murray is owner of the Baton 2010 Ltd. who took control of the club earlier in the year to restructure the English soccer club. Charlton Athletic PLC had previously announced that it could no longer operate under the weight of its £30m (US$47m) debt. A bid from Sebastien Sainsbury was turned down by Murray in November.

Proposed new owner Peter Varney held his position as chief executive for 11 years between 1997 and 2008.

Die Fans der DTM dürfen sich auch in Zukunft auf einzigartige Bilder der populärsten internationalen Tourenwagenserie freuen. Pünktlich zum Saisonstart vom 15. – 17. Mai auf dem Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg einigten sich der DTM-Rechteinhaber und -Vermarkter ITR e.V. und die WIGE Media AG auf eine Verlängerung der Zusammenarbeit für den Bereich TV-Produktion um weitere drei Jahre bis einschließlich 2011.

Zum Leistungsportfolio gehören auch eine ganze Reihe weiterer Dienstleistungen. So setzt WIGE die internationale Vermarktung der TV-Bilder für die DTM fort und ist auch vor Ort in vielen Bereichen aktiv: Die Redakteure der WIGE produzieren weiterhin das DTM-Fan-TV; Experten der Tochterfirma WIGE Performance werden auch in Zukunft für Zeitnahme und Event-Technik zuständig sein. „Eine langjährige Partnerschaft muss nicht gleichbedeutend mit Stillstand sein, viagra das beweist unser Verhältnis zur WIGE Media AG. Wir sind froh, ailment einen Partner an unserer Seite zu haben, order der unser Tempo und den hohen qualitativen Maßstab, den wir an jede Partnerschaft knüpfen, immer mitgehen konnte“, so Hans Werner Aufrecht, erster Vorsitzender des Vorstands des ITR e.V.

Mit bis zu 36 Kameras und einem Team von über 100 Mitarbeitern rückt die WIGE Media AG in den kommenden Jahren zu den DTM-Rennen aus. Dabei gilt die Serie auch dank der ständigen Weiterentwicklung durch WIGE als eine der spektakulärsten und innovativsten Motorsport-Disziplinen im TV. Drahtlose Kamerasysteme und vielfältige Sonderkameras, die das Geschehen etwa aus der Inboard-, Helikopter- oder Krankamera-Perspektive einfangen, machen die Serie zu einem TV-Leckerbissen.

Verwendet werden die Bilder nicht nur für die Live-Übertragungen der ARD, sondern auch für eine umfassende Weiterverarbeitung. So gehen die Bilder via Satellit live in alle Welt; WIGE-Redakteure produzieren vor Ort Newsedits, Wochenend Zusammenschnitte und viele weitere Formate. Nicht zu vergessen das DTM-Fan-TV, das auch in Zukunft über die Großbildleinwände an der Strecke zu sehen sein wird.

Auch die weltweite Verbreitung der DTM-Bilder gehört zu den Aufgaben von WIGE. Hier konnten die Kölner TV-Experten in den vergangenen Jahren mit kontinuierlich steigenden Zahlen überzeugen. So wurde im Jahr 2008 in 175 Ländern über die Serie berichtet; 58 Sender in 44 Ländern zeigten die DTM live oder zeitversetzt in voller Länge. Und die Tendenz ist weiterhin steigend: 2009 wird die Tourenwagenserie „made in Germany“ in 86 Länder live übertragen.

Ebenfalls verlängert wurde das umfangreiche und für die DTM maßgeschneiderte WIGE-Servicepaket. So gehören zur TV-Produktion auch Grafikleistungen und die Führung des TV-Archivs. Aber auch die Zeitnahme und eine Vielzahl von Event-Technik-Equipment liegt in der Verantwortung von WIGE – vom Zeitnahme-Monitor über Fotokopierer bis zur kompletten Licht- und Beschallungsanlage.

ESPN Deportes and impreMedia announced a content and promotion agreement dedicated to providing Hispanic sports fans in the United States with expanded coverage across both companies’ media platforms.

Through the alliance the two Spanish-language multimedia brands will share content, and execute cross promotional activities. Both brands will provide featured content for their online properties, impreMedia’s print publications and ESPN Deportes TV programming. In addition, the two media companies will co-produce consumer promotions that will be available through each other’s various platforms including print, online, mobile and social media.

“We are excited to join forces with impreMedia to expand our sports news and information content among a wider audience with a leading Hispanic publisher in the US,” said Lino Garcia, General Manager of ESPN Deportes. “This dynamic agreement provides an additional platform for us to share our unrivaled sports coverage with impreMedia’s audience and better serve the U.S Hispanic sports fan.”

Hilda Garcia, Vice President of Multiplatform News and Information for impreMedia noted that: “The partnership is unique in that it pairs up two of the most recognizable names in sports news and information across a variety of platforms. The original content from ESPN Deportes coupled with our sports journalists, trusted brands and national platforms reinforce our strategy of engaging our audience and giving them access to great content whenever and wherever they want it.”

Among the features expected to be launched, content from impreMedia’s products will be incorporated within studio broadcasts of Juego Cruzado, Jorge Ramos Y Su Banda and NacionESPN. impreMedia’s sports writers will also appear on NacionESPN¬- and videos will be available to impreMedia.com and ESPNDeportes.com’s users. 

ESPN Deportes will provide daily Juego Cruzado video clips and live soccer matches to impreMedia.com and the impreMedia online properties. On Fridays, ESPN Deportes will share special video segments that highlight upcoming weekend sporting events to be broadcast on the sports network.

Breaking news, podcasts, blogs and related content around sports stories will also be available across the two brands on multiple platforms. In addition, a regular feed of news from ESPN Deportes will be available on all impreMedia websites.

by Ismail Uddin

UEFA have announced Viet Nam Television has bought the broadcasting rights for UEFA Euro 2012 in Vietnam.

All 31 matches will be shown on VTV 2 and VTV 3. The station will also produce daily newsletters, ambulance reports and commentary of their journalists in Poland and Ukraine, abortion the co-hosts of Euro 2012.

Four years ago, 14 TV stations fought over the Euro 2008 media rights, which ultimately went to VTV for US$2 million. This year, the Ministry of Information and Communications appointed VTV as the only station to negotiate Euro broadcasting rights and asked them to share the matches with others if they succeed.

British Eurosport has secured rights to televise the Fed Cup tie between Great Britain and Sweden in April.

After their successful Euro/Africa Zone Group I wins over Portugal, doctor Netherlands, patient Israel and Austria in Eilat, viagra Israel in February, the GB Fed Cup team captained by Judy Murray will play Sweden away in the World Group II play-offs on April 21-22.

British Eurosport agreed a deal with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to broadcast the Sweden tie.

British Eurosport also covers all of Great Britain’s 2012 Davis Cup ties and exclusive coverage of the World Group, as well as the Australian, French and US Open tournaments, selected ATP events including the AEGON Championships at Queen’s and all 21 WTA Premier events.

Eurosport UK managing director David Kerr said: “We are delighted to have been able to add coverage of the Fed Cup tie against Sweden to our extensive tennis coverage on British Eurosport.

“The victories in Israel were great for British tennis and we wanted to make sure that we gave our tennis viewers the chance to continue to support Judy Murray and the team in Sweden as they seek to qualify for World Group II in 2013.

“British Eurosport will show over 1,200 hours of blockbuster tennis in 2012, including the Australian, French and US Open tournaments, ATP and WTA events and the Davis, Fed and Hopman Cups.”

Jan Menneken, executive director commercial for the ITF, said: “This is great news for British Fed Cup fans who will be able to watch their team compete against Sweden live on British Eurosport with the winner achieving promotion to Fed Cup World Group II.”

Coverage of the Great Britain versus Sweden Fed Cup tie begins at 1pm on Saturday April 21 on British Eurosport 2, continuing the next day on British Eurosport from 10am.

by Ismail Uddin

British broadcaster Channel 4 has secured exclusive four-year rights to broadcast the Grand National, Derby and Royal Ascot from 2013 making it the only terrestial channel to show British Horse Racing. 

BBC put in as “competitive a bid as possible” to maintain the rights but lost out.

“Our coverage this year will mark the end of a partnership covering some of the key events of British racing that extends over 50 years,” said Barbara Slater, BBC director of sport.

The BBC has shown just 13 days of live racing since 2010 and has now relinquished all of its live televised interest in the sport due to reported budgetary cuts.

Instead, BBC funds will be directed towards retaining events such as the Six Nations rugby union and Formula One, which they now share with Sky.

Channel 4 can now add what are seen as the “crown jewels of the sport” to their schedule after winning the bidding rights to expand its current portfolio.

Jamie Aitchison, Channel 4 sports editor, said: “I am delighted Channel 4’s 28-year association with racing has now arrived at the point where the industry has demonstrated such confidence in our ability to showcase its complete portfolio.

“This is an opportunity for us to work together to grow the sport, painting the full picture of both the flat and jumps seasons to attract new viewers whilst rewarding those loyal viewers we value so highly.

“Channel 4 fully understands the heritage and cultural importance of British racing, but also the sport’s thirst for a bright future, and we relish the challenge ahead.”

Richard FitzGerald, chief executive of Racecourse Media Group (RMG), who headed Channel 4 racing’s negotiating team, added: “Channel 4 has shown a total commitment to our sport.

“This new deal will not only deliver increased revenues for British racing, but with all of our sport’s crown jewels in its portfolio, Channel 4 offers a compelling vision to innovate the way racing is broadcast.

“They have also committed to use diverse programming platforms to promote our sport more widely. This is a great opportunity for racing in the long-term.

“The BBC has been a fantastic partner for British racing and helped the sport to grow its attendances and TV audience in recent times.

“We look forward to continuing to work together through radio, online and TV news coverage over the next four years until the next TV negotiation period.”

The deal means British Champions Day at Ascot, the culmination of the season-long British Champions Series, will also feature on Channel 4 for the first time.

Charles Barnett, chief executive of Ascot, said: “This is a tremendous announcement for racing.

“The sport is in a great place at the moment and the editorial appeal and popularity of both codes has been apparent through what has been a competitive tender process.

“A one channel scenario will enable us to tell our stories clearly and consistently, and obviously Royal Ascot is fundamental to that.

“I would personally like to thank BBC Television for everything they have done for racing and we look forward to continuing to work with their other platforms.”

The BBC said it was “disappointed” to lose the televised rights, but still looked forward to its coverage in what is Diamond Jubilee year for the Queen.

A statement from the BBC read: “The BBC are proud of their long heritage of broadcasting horse racing and did put in as competitive a bid as possible in the current climate.

“We are of course disappointed that we have lost the rights, but we are pleased that all the races in the contract remain free to air.

“We of course still look forward to broadcasting the Grand National next month and then of course the Derby and Royal Ascot which have special significance in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.”

by Ismail Uddin

Whats your take on BBC losing out again on TV rights. Click here to have your say.

Rogers Sportsnet has been awarded the 2012–15 UEFA Champions League media rights in Canada and will provide live match coverage of the action as well as showing highlights.

Rogers Sportsnet will broadcast three live matches each matchnight on Sportsnet, allergist Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet World as well as a highlights programme each matchweek on Sportsnet ONE.

All rights have been granted on a platform-neutral basis, with the rights also being exploited on the internet via sportsnet.ca and on mobile.

FOX Soccer Plus, store America’s premium television network dedicated to delivering the world’s best soccer and international sports, is the new U.S. television home of the Australian Football League (AFL).

With origins dating back to 1858, the AFL is Australia’s most-attended domestic sporting competition and the highest level of Australian Rules Football in the world. 

This exclusive media rights agreement brings coverage of live matches to FOX Soccer Plus beginning March 24, lasting through the 2014 season. Additionally, the network is carrying the AFL’s showcase event, the Grand Final, in September live from the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“The Australian Football League is one of the world’s unique sporting spectacles, and Australia’s most popular domestic competition,” said David Nathanson, General Manager of FOX Soccer. 

“We are proud to bring fans across the United States access to this exciting game, with rivalries and traditions that match the passion of other elite leagues on our family of networks.”

AFL Chief Operating Officer, Gillon McLachlan said: “The AFL is thrilled to announce a three-year partnership with FOX Soccer Plus in the United States that will see unprecedented live coverage of our game across the Premiership Season, Finals Series and Grand Final.”

Combined with FOX Soccer Plus’ recent acquisition of Australia’s National Rugby League, the AFL agreement gives fans access to the most exciting sporting properties of the Southern Hemisphere. FOX Soccer Plus’ first AFL contest takes place on Saturday, March 24 when GWS Giants host Sydney Swans (4:00 a.m. ET). Coverage continues on Friday, March 30 as Hawthorn plays Collingwood (4:30 a.m. ET).

FOX Soccer Plus is carrying two AFL matches per week throughout the season, along with weekly hour-long highlight shows to recap each round of play.

Comprised of clubs from five Australian states, the AFL features 18 teams in 2012, as Greater Western Sydney Football Club begins play in the topflight. Starting in late March, the AFL season lasts for 23 rounds and culminates in an eight-team playoff that determines the two Grand Final participants. This contest is Australia’s most-anticipated annual sporting event, with the winner claiming the AFL Premiership.

A fast-paced and physically imposing game, Australian Football is unique to the sporting landscape of the Southern Hemisphere. Each side is composed of 22 players, with 18 individuals permitted on the playing field at any given time. Players are divided into three groups – forwards, midfielders and defenders – with a heavy emphasis on kicking for field position and points. 

Tackling is also an essential skill, as the AFL is known for its physical style. Players compete on an elliptical-shaped field over four thirty-minute quarters, with stoppage time added at the end of each interval.

by Ismail Uddin