BT and Sky agree deal to sell each other’s channels

UK pay-television operators BT and Sky have agreed a multi-year deal to make rival channels available on each other’s platforms.

BT will now be able to market and sell Sky’s NOW TV service – which offers Sky’s most popular content, including Sky Sports – to BT TV customers.

In addition, BT has agreed to wholesale its BT Sport channels to Sky, allowing Sky to sell these channels directly to Sky satellite customers. The BT Sport channels include exclusively live UEFA Champions League and Premier League football. This will mean that satellite customers will be able to buy BT Sport from Sky as well as from BT.

Gavin Patterson, chief executive of BT, said: “This is an important day for BT and for our customers, who will be able to enjoy a whole range of Sky’s sport and entertainment programming on their BT TV boxes.

“This is the next logical step for our TV and content strategy. Having built up an outstanding portfolio of exclusive sports rights and a loyal base of customers, we feel that now is the right time to broaden the ways in which we distribute BT Sport.

“This agreement fits with our strategic goal of being the best provider in the UK of converged network services, and adding NOW TV boosts our growing roster of outstanding content from the likes of Netflix, great pay channels like AMC and all the major catch-up services.”

It is expected that these new services will be available to customers from early 2019.

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UK Sport and BBC Sport announce live streaming collaboration

UK Sport and BBC Sport have announced a major new collaboration that will lead to more major Olympic and Paralympic sporting events being live streamed to the public, free of charge.

BBC Sport has committed to providing technical and editorial support to sports to enable them to broadcast their events more widely and has offered to live stream the key moments of all UK Sport-supported major events on its market-leading sport website, rights permitting.

And as part of UK Sport’s £30m investment over eight years (2017-2025) to bring some of the world’s top sporting events to towns and cities across the country, it is procuring live streaming technology to increase the number of sports that have access to a universally recognised platform such as the BBC, allowing them to stream their major events to a far wider audience than those that can attend on the day.

UK Sport-supported major events already secured include the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup, 2018 Boccia World Championships, 2019 Netball World Cup and 2019 World Road Cycling Championships. UK Sport is also supporting Liverpool’s bid for the 2022 World Gymnastics Championships.

Director of BBC Sport, Barbara Slater, said: “We have been covering Olympic and Paralympic Sports for decades and we are now taking that commitment to a completely different level.

“We are going to be streaming more live sport for more people, across mobile, computers, tablets and TV. We will be working closely with UK Sport to ensure the major events they support in the UK reach the biggest possible audience.”

UK Sport Director of Major Events, Simon Morton, said: “Our mission is to inspire the nation with the success of our Lottery-funded athletes on the world stage. A key part of that involves hosting the some of the biggest international sporting events here in the UK so that the public can see our stars in action for themselves.

“By working with our partners to enable them to live stream more of these major events on easily accessible platforms such as the BBC Sport website we will help realise that vision.”

MTN Irancell becomes new LaLiga partner in Iran

LaLiga continues to press ahead with its internationalisation process by teaming up with a telecommunications company with over 230 million customers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East

The Iranian telecommunications company Irancell has become LaLiga’s new regional partner in Iran.

This latest collaboration was unveiled today, Tuesday, at a press conference in Tehran attended by Javier Gomez, LaLiga’s corporate managing director; Antonio Barradas, the manager of LaLiga’s offices in Africa; Fernando Sanz, LaLiga’s general director for the Middle East and North Africa and head of international sport projects; Gregory Bolle, LaLiga’s head of global partnership; and Alireza Ghalambor Dezfouli, CEO of MTN Irancell and Mazen Mroue, COO of MTN Irancell.

Furthermore, the press conference included the presence of the LaLiga ambassador and former Real Madrid player Fernando Morientes and Jose Manuel Ramirez Arrazola, the Spanish secretary, head of administrative affairs and consul in Iran.

LaLiga’s new local partner, Irancell, is a leading telecommunications company with over 50 million customers in Iran and a total of over 230 million distributed throughout more than 22 countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

“This agreement amplifies further the global recognition of LaLiga brand all around the world and help us to connect and engage further with our millions of fans in Iran in very innovative way,” said LaLiga’s corporate managing director Javier Gomez.

“We’re proud to see the passion awakened by LaLiga in Iran and connect more with our loyal Iranian football fans,” assured the LaLiga ambassador Fernando Morientes.

Through this strategic agreement, LaLiga will be able to build closer ties with its followers in Iran, one of the countries where Spanish football is most widely and passionately followed. Thanks to this collaboration and the structure and scope of the Iranian company’s network, LaLiga’s content will reach the Iranian fans more readily than ever.

“Associating LaLiga with the leader of Telecom in Iran allows us to innovate in terms of content production and content distribution. This is a world first sponsorship and telco content agreement for LaLiga and we are honoured to undertake this disruptive journey alongside a great company such as MTN Group and MTN Irancell,” Gregory Bolle finished by saying.

With this agreement, LaLiga continues with its internationalisation process, which has turned it into a prestigious global brand and a competition which is now watched in 182 countries worldwide with a global audience of 2.5 billion spectators.

LaLiga also has nine offices around the world. Those in Madrid and Barcelona are joined by others in Belgium, Nigeria, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, India, two in China, and one in Singapore.

Additionally, as of this summer, LaLiga has 44 international representatives working in different strategic foreign territories, including its representative for Iran, Khais Rahmanie.

READ MORE: LaLiga scores big on social media in Arab world

NBA announces live streaming deal with Twitch for 2017/18 G League season

The NBA has announced a deal to live stream G League games on social video service Twitch.

The agreement represents the first time a major sports league has tapped into several technological innovations unique to Twitch. During the 2017-18 regular season, basketball fans can expect up to six NBA G League games to be streamed live on Twitch each week, while the games will also be made available on demand.

The partnership expands NBA G League game distribution and aims to ambitiously innovate the digital presentation of basketball. In addition to the main broadcast, co-streaming with select Twitch personalities and basketball fans will also be featured.

Twitch is also set to introduce a channel overlay that will provide easy access to a wide range of stats and the ability to accrue loyalty points.

NBA G League President, Malcolm Turner, said: “Our deal with Twitch will be groundbreaking.

“By leveraging fan commentary, new technology and a passionate community, Twitch elevates video in a unique, engaging way that resonates with young viewers. We look forward to collaborating with their team to create something truly special for basketball fans.”

Michael Aragon, Senior Vice President of Content, Twitch, added: “From day one, the NBA team got what Twitch is all about. We aren’t a traditional sports experience on TV; we are much more.

“From our broadcasters to our engaged community to our interactive product that brings everyone together, collaborating with their team is going to bring a unique experience to basketball fans worldwide. We are thrilled to be working with the NBA G League and look forward to seeing the impact of social video on mainstream sports.”

Dorna announces Michelin as official tyre supplier for FIM Moto-e World Cup

Dorna has announced Michelin as the official tyre supplier for the upcoming FIM Moto-e World Cup, which begins in 2019.

The supplier for the premier class of Grand Prix racing, MotoGP, Dorna sees Michelin as the ideal collaborator for the new Moto-e World Cup as high-octane racing meets zero emissions.

Pascal Couasnon, Motorsport Director at Michelin, said: “For as long as Michelin has existed, the projects in which it has been involved have sought to take mobility forward, while making it safer, more economical and more respectful of the planet.

“Progress needs all the stakeholders to innovate, not only on the technological front but also in terms of their vision. As motorcycle racing’s first all-electric competition, the FIM Moto-e World Cup’s creation by the FIM [Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme] and Dorna Sports is a concrete, meaningful move in favour of mobility.

“For Michelin, it will provide us with an invaluable laboratory for the development of innovations that will go on to feature on our road tyres. We are consequently delighted to be in at the very beginning of this new championship as a technology partner.”

Pau Serracanta, Managing Director – Commercial Area, Dorna, added: “We are thrilled to extend and strengthen our relationship with Michelin and see them come on board for this new and exciting series.

“The FIM Moto-e World Cup will be synonymous with innovation and we are sure Michelin are the perfect collaborator with whom to embark on this project. Together we will commit to push forward towards a new age of sustainable but thrilling on-track action.”

ThinkSport launches new sport and innovation event ‘The SPOT’

ThinkSport has launched a new event titled ‘The SPOT’ with the aim of uniting the creative imagination and expertise of business, sport, academia, media, IOs, NGOs, as well as the public.

Designed to showcase and promote innovative ideas, products, companies, and best practice, the two-day, international event will engage diverse sectors from Switzerland and beyond, for collaboration, inspiration, and a uniquely enthralling experience.

The inaugural edition of the annual event will take place from 15 to 16 May 2018 at the Swiss Tech Convention Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland, and will focus on the following themes:

Connected Sport 
New technology, data analytics, connected venues

New Sport
Latest sporting trends, global expansion of e-sports, e-sports convergence

Performance & Health
Human enhancement & nutrition, latest equipment, materials & design, sporting innovations and knowledge transfer

Media & Marketing
Artificial intelligence, augmented reality, the Cloud, OTT & sponsors, digital security

You can learn more about The SPOT here. There is an early bird rate if you register before 15 February 2018.

Facebook Watch to livestream new WWE series in exclusive deal

Facebook and World Wrestling Enterainment (WWE) have announced a new in-ring series, Mixed Match Challenge, that will be streamed live in the U.S. exclusively on Facebook Watch.

The 12-episode series will air on Facebook’s Watch platform from mid-January and is set to feature WWE Superstars from both the Raw and SmackDown LIVE rosters competing in a single-elimination mixed tag-team tournament.

Each offering is set to feature a progressive approach to production, with elements optimised for mobile consumption, experimentation and social interaction, including the ability for the WWE Universe to engage with Superstars during the show.

Fans will also have the opportunity to select match-ups, match stipulations and more.

Dan Reed, Facebook Head of Global Sports Partnerships, said: “As a leader in entertainment innovation, WWE is an ideal partner to demonstrate how the live sports viewing experience can be reimagined on Facebook Watch.

“Mixed Match Challenge is a new competition produced specifically to take advantage of the reach, interaction and ongoing engagement enabled by our platform.

“Fans will be able to directly influence and interact with the in-ring action, follow the rivalries and storylines in between events, and connect with one another as the drama unfolds.”

Michelle Wilson, WWE Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer, added: “As we continue to expand our strategic partnership with Facebook, this new series, Mixed Match Challenge, jointly reflects our innovative approach to content distribution and fan engagement.

“This show will deliver the action and excitement our passionate fan base is accustomed to while offering new production elements and social experiences that only Facebook can provide.”

READ MORE: Facebook’s live sports strategy – ‘We see ourselves as collaborators with the entire industry’

Jayar Donlan, WWE Executive Vice President, Digital & Social Content, commented: “Mixed Match Challenge demonstrates WWE’s flexibility in creating and producing compelling content across platforms in a media landscape that is evolving each day.

“The social interaction leading up to and during each show will connect WWE Superstars with our massive fan base on Facebook in more ways than ever before.”

Goodform appointed by Formula E to drive global data growth and fan engagement

Sports-focused data and insight agency Goodform has been appointed by Formula E to drive global data growth and fan engagement.

Goodform will be focused on building a better understanding of the current Formula E audience, while bringing new fans into the sport through strategic data acquisition and engaging communication campaigns designed around the different audiences.

“Formula E has seen impressive growth in a number of areas since its start and is an incredibly progressive organisation that everyone at Goodform is proud and excited to be working with,” says Goodform Marketing Director Joe Kyle.

“Our role will be to take Formula E to the next level in terms of data, insight, and fan communications for season four and beyond.”

The 2017/18 season of the FIA Formula E Championship sparked into life in Hong Kong on December 2 & 3, and will stage 14 races, in 11 cities, including new races in Santiago, Rome and Zurich.

Ben Padley, Marketing & Brand Director at Formula E, said: “It’s fantastic news to be working with Goodform on this exciting new partnership. Goodform has unrivalled knowledge in understanding fan-bases across a variety of sports and with their expertise we look to broaden the electric street racing series to a new audience.”

Formula E join Goodform’s already-impressive client list which includes EFL, British Athletics, Silverstone, Premiership Rugby, and British Cycling. The agency’s core services focus on the use of data and insight to drive tangible growth – whether in revenue, participation or membership – or all three at the same time.

The range of Goodform services can be viewed here.

READ MORE: Hugo Boss joins Formula E as official apparel partner

Juliet Slot joins Great British Racing board

Juliet Slot, Ascot’s Commercial Director, will join the board of Great British Racing (GBR) Limited – the marketing and promotional body for British racing – from 1st January 2018.

Slot replaces RCA Chief Executive Stephen Atkin, who has been a board member since 2007 when the organisation was originally known as Racing Enterprises Limited.

Whilst Atkin is set to step down from the board, he will remain an alternate director, representing all three racecourse board members as required, and will also remain Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Slot said of her appointment: “I am very much looking forward to taking on this post on behalf of all independent racecourses. The work of Great British Racing is of great importance to the industry and I am looking forward to being part of the strategy team.”

Tony Langham, Chairman of GBR, said: “Stephen is one of racing’s nice guys and has made an enormous contribution to the success of Great British Racing. His extensive racing industry knowledge has proven invaluable on numerous occasions and he has represented the racecourses very effectively.

“On behalf of the board, I thank him for his years of service and am delighted he will remain an alternate director to the existing racecourse board members, and stays on as Chair of the Audit Committee.

“We are pleased to welcome Juliet Slot to the board, who brings with her a wealth of experience which will be invaluable to the organisation and in shaping its future direction.”

Atkin added: “It has been a privilege to work with Tony Langham, Rod Street, and the talented Great British Racing team, and to have witnessed at first hand the very significant progress made by GBR and the great promotion it provides for our wonderful sport.

“I am delighted that Juliet has accepted the opportunity to represent the RCA and racecourses on the GBR Board and I know she will make a very substantial contribution. I wish Juliet and the whole GBR team the very best for 2018 and beyond, and I am pleased to be able to continue contributing in the years ahead.”

Rugby Australia launches new Super W Competition

Rugby Australia has launched the ‘Super W’ Competition that will re-define the landscape for Women’s XVs Rugby in Australia, with the five-team competition set to kick off in March 2018.

Australia’s five State representative teams; Queensland, NSW, ACT, Victoria, and Western Australia will compete around the country in a six-week competition which will conclude with a final in April.

The new Women’s National XVs competition, Super W, is the second national Women’s Competition to be launched this year after the successful first season of the Aon University Sevens Series that was held from August to September.

In a further exciting development for Women’s Rugby, Rugby Australia has also confirmed it will bid for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Outgoing Rugby Australia CEO, Bill Pulver, said: “For a young girl picking up a Rugby ball for the first-time next season, she will now have a clear and accessible pathway to represent her country through the Buildcorp Wallaroos and Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens team.

“Super W will allow our Women’s XVs players the opportunity to play in a high-quality competition, fully entrenched within the professional programs at each state giving them access to elite Coaching and High-Performance facilities. This will make the Buildcorp Wallaroos a significantly stronger outfit moving forward.

“The pathway is now complete in both with the Aon University Sevens Series and Super W working in tandem to provide elite opportunities for players in both formats of the game.

“Bidding for the Women’s Rugby World Cup I hope signifies to the community how serious we are about making Rugby a game for all and growing female participation. If we are successful with our bid, it will have an immediate and significant impact on Women’s Rugby.

“The Australian Rugby community has been incredibly proud of the growth of the Women’s Game in recent times and I know that this crucial competition is going to supercharge this growth in future years.”