Sports
News and analysis of sports media rights holders, leagues, franchises and teams/clubs.
NBC beats Netflix in Week 1 NFL kickoff ratings battle
Netflix's U.S. viewership for its Week 1 game in Australia was lower compared to NBC's viewership for its Super Bowl rematch one day earlier.
RATINGS
Hub: Younger fans fueling uptick in sports TV viewership
Viewers under the age of 18 are seven times more likely to watch sports on TV now than they were a year ago, according to new data.
DATA
Ex-Fox Sports broadcaster Mark Sanchez to plead guilty in assault case
Sanchez faces charges including battery causing serious injury; it was not clear from court records what charges are involved in the guilty plea.
Apple TV partners with Yahoo Sports for altcasts of baseball, soccer games
The altcasts will promote Apple TV’s live sports packages and include direct links to the Apple TV app.
U.C. Davis to bring five football games to broadcast TV in Sacramento
Paramount's KMAX-TV has dethroned cross-town rival KCRA as the local home for U.C. Davis football games this upcoming season.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Circle City inks deal for two Butler University basketball games
Circle City Broadcasting has inked a deal with Butler University to air two college basketball games on its CW Network affiliate in Indianapolis this season.
Orlando Magic expand TV reach via Hearst-owned WMOR
The Orlando Magic will expand their local television footprint during the 2026-27 NBA season through a new agreement with WMOR-TV in the Tampa television market.
Gracenote: Sports fans want better discovery from TV home screens
A new survey found sports fragmentation is still making it difficult for fans to figure out which channels or apps are carrying a live game or competition at any given time.
DATA
Nashville Predators to launch streaming service with ViewLift
The app will include locally-televised live games, on-demand replays, highlights and original programming; Viewlift is also working with Scripps to bring games to free broadcast TV.
Roku expands NWSL streaming deal with Sunday Night match package
The Roku Sports Channel will carry eight exclusive Sunday Night matches during the remainder of the 2026 season.
DAZN to acquire NFL’s EverPass Media, will launch business-focused operation
The deal will support the global launch of DAZN for Business, a commercial media platform for bars, restaurants, hotels and other venues.
Main Street Sports sues Comcast, Charter over unpaid fees
Main Street Sports accuses the two large pay television providers of underpaying for the rights to its channels during the first half of 2026.