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Tag: UFC

  • Parrot Analytics launches Sports Demand to put rigour into soaring media rights market

    Parrot Analytics launches Sports Demand to put rigour into soaring media rights market

    LOS ANGELES: : Parrot Analytics, the media analytics firm known for pioneering streaming valuation, has launched Sports Demand, billed as the most advanced global sports analytics system. The tool is designed to arm leagues, teams, broadcasters, streamers and sponsors with data-driven insights to navigate the fast-inflating sports rights market.

    Sports rights fees have surged in recent years, with Paramount’s $7.7 billion deal for UFC events, WWE’s $1.6 billion tie-up with ESPN, and the NFL’s equity-for-content swap with Disney underscoring the scale. Parrot says its system will allow buyers and sellers to measure fan engagement market by market, justify valuations, and extract stronger returns on investment.

    “For the first time, decision-makers can weigh the impact of acquiring a sports league against investing in scripted series or films, within a single framework,” said Parrot Analytics chief executive Wared Seger. By integrating with the firm’s Demand360 platform, Sports Demand lets clients benchmark sports against TV shows, films and on-screen talent.

    Capabilities include global fan mapping across 100 markets, integrated sports-entertainment benchmarking, empirical valuation models, content optimisation, and sponsor alignment analysis. Early adopters include leagues negotiating landmark streaming deals and operators launching direct-to-consumer sports services.

    Seger argued that in an attention economy where sports compete directly with films and television for time and spend, “rigorous, standardised data is essential.” 

    Sports Demand is now available worldwide to Parrot Analytics’ enterprise clients, with dashboard and API access for seamless integration into rights, content and sponsorship strategies.

  • TKR ropes in Stake as title sponsor in multi-year global partnership

    TKR ropes in Stake as title sponsor in multi-year global partnership

    MUMBAI: The Trinbago Knight Riders just hit a sponsorship sixer. Caribbean Premier League’s most decorated franchise has inked a multi-year title partnership with Stake, the world’s leading online casino and sportsbook adding some serious global firepower to its off-field playbook. With four CPL titles under its belt (2015, 2017, 2018, 2020), TKR’s winning legacy now aligns with a brand that’s betting big on cricket. Stake already has marquee partnerships across the sporting spectrum, including UFC, Everton FC, and the Stake F1 Team. Its latest Caribbean swing follows recent forays into cricket with the Paarl Royals, European Cricket Championships, and Major League Cricket.

    “This partnership marks a significant milestone for us,” said Knight Riders Sports Group CMO Binda Dey. “Bringing together two globally recognised brands, we aim to elevate fan engagement through innovation and technology.”

    And innovation is already in motion. The announcement was hyped with a teaser campaign starring Knight Riders legends Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Dwayne Bravo alongside Stake-backed athletes from across the world. The result? A viral buzz building up to the big reveal, with cross-sport fandom fuelling the fire.

    “TKR’s success and passionate fanbase make them the perfect addition to our cricket portfolio,” said Stake’s CMO Akhil Sarin. “Our aim is to build immersive, tech-driven fan experiences that channel the thrill of T20 cricket.”

    This partnership is more than a logo swap, it’s a play for deeper, digital-first engagement. Expect gamified fan zones, interactive content drops, and a Stake-powered edge to TKR’s growing global fanbase.

    In the high-stakes world of franchise cricket, this Knight–casino combo could be a jackpot move.
     

  • Canada’s video providers & Friend MTS partner to tackle sports piracy

    Canada’s video providers & Friend MTS partner to tackle sports piracy

    Mumbai: Friend MTS, a provider of video content security solutions, reported that several video service providers in Canada have chosen it to prevent piracy using dynamic delivery server blocking (DDSB). These companies have secured a nationwide court order to block servers hosting pirated content, including content from major sports leagues like FIFA, NBA, NHL, and UFC.

    The court order allows internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to servers distributing pirated content without needing a new order for each event. This approach saves time and money by reducing court fees and appearances, while protecting valuable sports content rights.

    Launched by Friend MTS in 2017, DDSB enables large-scale content blocking while meeting legal standards for court-granted orders. It provides customers with the necessary intelligence and evidence to persuade ISPs to restrict access to illegal servers, reducing the number of illegal streams. This helps drive viewers to legitimate platforms and preserves the value of video content. Friend MTS’ DDSB has a proven track record of blocking illicit access within minutes, particularly for short format content like sports and live events, and is increasingly used to protect linear content.

    “This collaboration shows the powerful impact that results from video service providers, ISPs, and video security specialists coming together to fight piracy,” said Friend MTS CEO Shane McCarthy. “Canadian operators are leading the global industry by setting the bar for piracy prevention in new, dynamic ways. We’re thrilled to have helped them not only implement security solutions, but to obtain the blocking order as well.  Our unique blend of expertise and blocking technology innovation is aiding their security teams, legal counsels, and business leaders with the right analytics and evidence to effectively stop piracy, without impacting legitimate websites.”

  • UFC enters into distribution deal with ESPN

    UFC enters into distribution deal with ESPN

    MUMBAI: UFC and ESPN have entered into a distribution agreement this month according to reports. As a result of this deal, ESPN and its subscription-based broadband service, ESPN+, will offer mixed martial arts fans a new array of UFC matches and special programming under a new rights deal unveiled on Tuesday.

    ESPN+ will exclusively stream 15 live UFC events under the title of “UFC on ESPN+ Fight Night”. Each will deliver a full card of 12 UFC bouts.

    ESPN will make available an array of UFC content across its cable networks and digital outlets, including an exclusive 30-minute special on its linear networks previewing upcoming bouts and breaking down match ups leading up to each UFC pay per view event, along with hundreds of hours of UFC library programming and re-airs of current UFC PPV events.

    ESPN+ was launched on 12 April at $4.99 (Rs 336) per month with a mix of content, including select games from MLB, NHL and out-of-market MLS games.

    “I couldn’t be more excited to partner with The Walt Disney Company and ESPN on an agreement that will continue to grow our sport. UFC has always done deals with the right partners at the right time and this one is no exception,” said UFC president Dana White.

    Fox signed a seven-year television deal with UFC in 2011 and, late last year, put in a roughly $200 million bid to secure those rights.

    “We will now have the ability to deliver fights to our young fan base wherever they are and whenever they want it. UFC’s fan base is among the youngest in US professional sports, with a median age of 40 and an audience comprising 40 per cent millennials,” White added.

    In addition to the live events and content included in the ESPN+ subscription, fight fans will be able to purchase and watch the UFC’s own streaming offering, UFC Fight Pass, for a separate cost, via the ESPN outlet.

    Also Read :

    Former ESPN president joins rival Perform Group

    FuboTV raises $75 million from Fox, AMC Networks and Sky

  • MMA: Fakhreddine wins, Sakuraba to face Henderson in Oct

    MUMBAI: MMA legends Dan Henderson and Kazushi Sakuraba will finally face off, though we won’t see any “H-Bomb” right hands being thrown.

    Hassan Fakhreddine from Lebanon, making his mixed martial arts debut, meantime became the first athlete from the Middle East to win a bout in Mexico when he beat Rodrigo Reyes in the second round during Bahrain-based Brave Combat Federation’s Brave 7: Untamed on Saturday at Casino Caliente in Tijuana. The mega event featured 10 bouts involving athletes from five nations – the US, Mexico, Lebanon, the Philippines and Costa Rica.

    Sakuraba and Henderson will meet in a grappling rules contest scheduled for 15 October at a RIZIN show in Fukuoka, Japan. The Henderson-Sakuraba exhibition match was announced during the RIZIN Fighting World Grand Prix 2017 1st Round event in Saitama on Sunday, and Sakuraba later celebrated the booking with a shot of himself and Henderson on Instagram.

    This is essentially a dream match for fans of these two warriors who rose to stardom in Japan’s famed PRIDE organization. Henderson held both the PRIDE welterweight and middleweight titles simultaneously before joining the UFC, while Sakuraba engaged in countless classic battles with member of the Gracie family and various opponents who typically dwarfed him in size.

    In the main event, Alejandro Martinez continued his winning streak as he forced his opponent Fabian Quintanar to submit (rear-naked choke) in the second round. It marked his second victory following his defeat of Brazil’s Paulo Silva in the ‘Brave in India’ edition. Brave’s next event will be on 12 August in Brazil with two championship titles on the line.

    ALSO READ :

    DSport acquires broadcast rights of ‘Ring of Honor’ & MMA ‘Cage Warriors’, first fight on 2 June

    Mixed Martial Arts: Neo Sports acquires broadcast rights for Asia’s largest event

     

  • 2017 UFC action begins on NYE, tune in SonyLiv & ESPN

    2017 UFC action begins on NYE, tune in SonyLiv & ESPN

    MUMBAI: The beginning of 2017 rings well for MMA fans as they keenly await the return of Ronda Rousey in the Octagon after over an year. The return would be marked on New Year eve, with Rousey getting a dynamic fight card. The match is set to take place at Las Vegas, Nevada on 31 December starting at 830am IST and will broadcast on Sony ESPN and its HD channel. The fight will also stream live on Sony Liv and the website. The fight has been headlined as the Batmanweight championship.

    2016 has been an extremely exciting year for MMA fans with some explosive action in the Octagon with fight cards like UFC 200 and UFC 205 amongst others. UFC 207 promises a historic end to 2016 with one of the most awaited fights since the beginning of the year. In a recent exclusive with indiantelevision.com, SPNI Sports and distribution president Rajesh Kaul had said that UFC has seen a substantial growth in 2016, adding, “Over 100 million viewers sampled UFC this year.”

    MMA fans are set to have an exciting year ahead, with a plethora of excitement already on the table. Ronda Rousey vs Amanda Nunes, Dominick Cruz vs Cody Garbrandt, TJ Dillashaw vs John Linekar and Dong Hyun Kim vs Tarec Saffiedine in other fights.

  • 2017 UFC action begins on NYE, tune in SonyLiv & ESPN

    2017 UFC action begins on NYE, tune in SonyLiv & ESPN

    MUMBAI: The beginning of 2017 rings well for MMA fans as they keenly await the return of Ronda Rousey in the Octagon after over an year. The return would be marked on New Year eve, with Rousey getting a dynamic fight card. The match is set to take place at Las Vegas, Nevada on 31 December starting at 830am IST and will broadcast on Sony ESPN and its HD channel. The fight will also stream live on Sony Liv and the website. The fight has been headlined as the Batmanweight championship.

    2016 has been an extremely exciting year for MMA fans with some explosive action in the Octagon with fight cards like UFC 200 and UFC 205 amongst others. UFC 207 promises a historic end to 2016 with one of the most awaited fights since the beginning of the year. In a recent exclusive with indiantelevision.com, SPNI Sports and distribution president Rajesh Kaul had said that UFC has seen a substantial growth in 2016, adding, “Over 100 million viewers sampled UFC this year.”

    MMA fans are set to have an exciting year ahead, with a plethora of excitement already on the table. Ronda Rousey vs Amanda Nunes, Dominick Cruz vs Cody Garbrandt, TJ Dillashaw vs John Linekar and Dong Hyun Kim vs Tarec Saffiedine in other fights.

  • SPN India acquires ZEEL’s Ten Sports for USD 385 mn

    SPN India acquires ZEEL’s Ten Sports for USD 385 mn

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) today announced that SPN and its affiliates have entered into definitive agreements to acquire TEN Sports Network, owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zee) and its subsidiaries, for $ 385 million.

    However, completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals.

    The acquisition will add to SPN’s existing portfolio of channels TEN 1, TEN 1 HD, TEN 2, TEN 3, TEN Golf HD, TEN Cricket, a Zee-Sony co-branded official statement stated.

    TEN Sports which operates in several countries, including the Indian sub-continent, Maldives, Singapore, Hong Kong, Middle East, Caribbean, holds broadcast rights to major cricket boards (South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe).

    In addition, Ten Sports holds rights to wrestling (WWE), football (UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europe League, French League, English Football League Cup), tennis (WTA Events, ATP events), golf (European Tour, Asian Tour, Ryder Cup, US PGA Championship, LPGA Tour, Professional Golf Tour of India and Golf Channel Block), athletics (Asian Games, Commonwealth Games), motor sports (Moto GP) and cycling (Tour de France) events.

    “I welcome TEN Sports to the Sony family. The acquisition of TEN Sports Network will strengthen SPNI’s offering for viewers of cricket, football and fight sports, complementing our existing portfolio of international and domestic sporting properties. It also aptly demonstrates SPN’s commitment to providing a broad range of sporting entertainment to fans across India and the sub-continent,” the official statement quoted SPNI CEO NP Singh as saying.

    SPN’s sports properties include cricket (IPL, CPL, Ram Slam), football (FIFA 2018 World Cup Russia, UEFA Euro 2016, FIFA World Events including FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 in India, European and South American Qualifiers for FIFA WC 2018, FIFA Confederations Cup, LaLiga, Serie A, FA Cup, Copa America Centenario, International Champions Cup), tennis (Australian Open, ATP 1000 and 500 World Tour Events, Champions Tennis League), fight sports (TNA, UFC, Pro Wrestling League), basketball (NBA) as well as NFL and Premier Futsal.

    Commenting on the deal, speculated in the media and financial circles for quite some time now, Zee MD Punit Goenka said: “This is a landmark deal for Zee and a step towards a strategic portfolio shuffle as we grow our general entertainment business both in the domestic and overseas markets.”

    Further dwelling on a restructuring and re-jigging of portfolios currently on in Zee, Goenka added: “While we have grown our sports business over the last 10 years through acquisition of content at competitive prices, our focus now is on transforming ourselves into an all-round media and content company, comprising five verticals — broadcast, digital, films, live events, and international business. We continue to move rapidly towards our set business goals. While I have always been proud of our sports business, I strongly believe that Sony will add more value to it by taking it to even greater heights.”
    Sony Pictures Television President, Worldwide Networks, Andy Kaplan said in a statement: “India has been a strong driver of Sony Pictures’ growing networks business for two decades, and sports continue to play a significant role in that growth. The acquisition of TEN Sports, following the launch of SONY ESPN channels, will mean that our Indian networks would reach over 800 million viewers and broadcast many of the most popular and prestigious sporting events in the world.”

    ALSO READ:

    Ten Sports proposed sale: Biz acumen trumps emotions

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/sports/ten-sports-proposed-sale-biz-acumen-trumps-emotions-160831

  • SPN India acquires ZEEL’s Ten Sports for USD 385 mn

    SPN India acquires ZEEL’s Ten Sports for USD 385 mn

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) today announced that SPN and its affiliates have entered into definitive agreements to acquire TEN Sports Network, owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zee) and its subsidiaries, for $ 385 million.

    However, completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals.

    The acquisition will add to SPN’s existing portfolio of channels TEN 1, TEN 1 HD, TEN 2, TEN 3, TEN Golf HD, TEN Cricket, a Zee-Sony co-branded official statement stated.

    TEN Sports which operates in several countries, including the Indian sub-continent, Maldives, Singapore, Hong Kong, Middle East, Caribbean, holds broadcast rights to major cricket boards (South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe).

    In addition, Ten Sports holds rights to wrestling (WWE), football (UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europe League, French League, English Football League Cup), tennis (WTA Events, ATP events), golf (European Tour, Asian Tour, Ryder Cup, US PGA Championship, LPGA Tour, Professional Golf Tour of India and Golf Channel Block), athletics (Asian Games, Commonwealth Games), motor sports (Moto GP) and cycling (Tour de France) events.

    “I welcome TEN Sports to the Sony family. The acquisition of TEN Sports Network will strengthen SPNI’s offering for viewers of cricket, football and fight sports, complementing our existing portfolio of international and domestic sporting properties. It also aptly demonstrates SPN’s commitment to providing a broad range of sporting entertainment to fans across India and the sub-continent,” the official statement quoted SPNI CEO NP Singh as saying.

    SPN’s sports properties include cricket (IPL, CPL, Ram Slam), football (FIFA 2018 World Cup Russia, UEFA Euro 2016, FIFA World Events including FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 in India, European and South American Qualifiers for FIFA WC 2018, FIFA Confederations Cup, LaLiga, Serie A, FA Cup, Copa America Centenario, International Champions Cup), tennis (Australian Open, ATP 1000 and 500 World Tour Events, Champions Tennis League), fight sports (TNA, UFC, Pro Wrestling League), basketball (NBA) as well as NFL and Premier Futsal.

    Commenting on the deal, speculated in the media and financial circles for quite some time now, Zee MD Punit Goenka said: “This is a landmark deal for Zee and a step towards a strategic portfolio shuffle as we grow our general entertainment business both in the domestic and overseas markets.”

    Further dwelling on a restructuring and re-jigging of portfolios currently on in Zee, Goenka added: “While we have grown our sports business over the last 10 years through acquisition of content at competitive prices, our focus now is on transforming ourselves into an all-round media and content company, comprising five verticals — broadcast, digital, films, live events, and international business. We continue to move rapidly towards our set business goals. While I have always been proud of our sports business, I strongly believe that Sony will add more value to it by taking it to even greater heights.”
    Sony Pictures Television President, Worldwide Networks, Andy Kaplan said in a statement: “India has been a strong driver of Sony Pictures’ growing networks business for two decades, and sports continue to play a significant role in that growth. The acquisition of TEN Sports, following the launch of SONY ESPN channels, will mean that our Indian networks would reach over 800 million viewers and broadcast many of the most popular and prestigious sporting events in the world.”

    ALSO READ:

    Ten Sports proposed sale: Biz acumen trumps emotions

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/sports/ten-sports-proposed-sale-biz-acumen-trumps-emotions-160831