Viaplay adds EFL Championship to English football output
February 23 – Viaplay Group has secured full broadcast rights to the EFL Championship across all Nordic markets under a new multi-year agreement running through 2028.
Broadcast
Burnley Women to launch social media fly-on-the-wall docu-series with X
February 20 – Burnley FC have extended their commercial partnership with X to launch a new behind-the-scenes documentary series focused on Burnley FC Women.
Aurenche becomes second senior LFP Media figure to leave
February 19 – For the second time in as many weeks, the French Professional Football League (LFP) has suffered the loss of a senior media executive, further destabilising an organisation already rocking from multiple media-rights crises.
BBC sub-licenses Serie A from DAZN for gaelic-language channel Alba
February 18 – The BBC has agreed to sub-license eight Serie A matches across the remainder of the 2025–26 season from DAZN.
ESPN extends Premier League TV rights for South America and the Caribbean
February 17 – The Premier League has secured a 25% uplift on its broadcast deal in South America and the Caribbean after agreeing a new long-term extension with ESPN, understood to be worth around £450 million through to 2031, according to reports.
Court orders NordVPN and Proton VPN to block pirate streamers in Spain
February 18 – The on-going war on streaming pirates has again hit the courts, this time in Spain, with another victory for rights owners and their broadcast buyers.
BeIN Sports loses in court to LFP, but beats Ligue1+ to 2026 rights
February 13 – BeIN Sports France have, at the last minute, snatched the broadcast rights to the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cups away from LFP’s Ligue 1+ streaming channel.
beIN Media Group purchases exclusive MENA broadcast rights to LA 2028 Olympics
February 12 – beIN Media Group has secured exclusive broadcast rights to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games across the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA).
DAZN and Rai roll the dice in Italy with World Cup rights bid
February 13 – DAZN and public broadcaster Rai are closing in on an agreement to show the next World Cup in Italy, even as the Azzurri’s place at the tournament remains undecided.
Fox buys Bundesliga rights for Mexico and Central America
February 11 – US media giant, Fox, has locked in a new multi-year broadcast deal for the Bundesliga across Mexico and Central America, starting in the 2026–27 season and running through to 2030–31.
DAZN picks up streaming rights to 2026 World Cup in Spain
February 9 – Streaming giant DAZN’s increasing influence within the sports broadcasting industry has another mainstream step with the announcement that it will become Spain’s pay-television home of the World Cup in 2026.
CSB buys NWSL rights for OneSoccer channel
February 6 – Canadian Soccer Business (CSB) has acquired non-exclusive Canadian broadcast rights to the National Women’s Soccer League, for its OneSoccer TV channel.
Indian Super League links up with Fancode to broadcast 2025-26 season
February 5 – The Indian Super League (ISL) finally has a broadcaster with Fancode picking up the rights for the 2025-26 season.
ITV lands crucial World Cup blow against BBC with on-site coverage
February 5 – The battle between ITV and the BBC for viewers’ hearts, minds, and most importantly, eyes during major tournaments almost takes on more significance than what’s happening on the pitch, and this year’s World Cup will be no exception.
Goalhanger secures minority investment from The Chernin Group
February 5 – Former England captain and renowned TV host Gary Lineker built a broadcasting career sitting in front of cameras with traditional media outlets, and now he is helping prove that footballers no longer need them.