CHICAGO, June 29 (Reuters) - Over the past 10 years, the
major U.S. sports leagues have all established their own
networks to broadcast games and generate more attention. As the
league-owned networks grow, the question is whether they will
jeopardize the rights fee paid by broadcasters. [ID:nN29390448]
League Broadcast partners Annual value of deals
NFL Fox, NBC, CBS, DirecTV nearly $4.1 billion
NBA TNT, ESPN, ABC $937.5 million
MLB TBS, Fox, ESPN, DirecTV, numerous cable
operators, XM Radio $900 million
NHL Versus, NBC over $72.5 million
Note: Versus agreed to pay the NHL $72.5 million for the
2007-2008 season, with inflationary increases through
2010-2011, according to The New York Times. It splits ad
revenue with NBC.
Source: Reuters, sports leagues, media reports
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Networks Households
Broadcasters (ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC) 114.5 million
TBS 99.1 million
TNT 98.2 million
ESPN 98.1 million
Versus 75.1 million
Network Subscribers League games aired Established
MLB Network 52 million over 52 2009
NFL Network 45 million+ 8 2003
NBA TV 18 million 96 1999
NHL Network 12-15 million 75 2007
Note: NBA TV is on target to expand distribution to 37
million subscribers by the start of next season this fall,
while the NHL Network, established first in Canada in 2001, is
on track for 30 million subscribers.
Source: Nielsen and the sports leagues
(Compiled by Ben Klayman, editing by Matthew Lewis)
