Sky warning over TV rights deal

Sky has urged Serie A to reject Mediapro’s offer for its TV rights on the grounds that the Spanish firm will not act as an actual broadcaster.

It was reported earlier on Monday that Mediapro had won the 2018-21 rights for €1,050,001,000, with Sky failing to meet Serie A’s asking price.

However, a statement since released by Rupert Murdoch’s company reads: “Sky warns Lega Serie A League not to assign its TV rights to Mediapro.

Sky has urged Serie A to reject Mediapro’s offer for its TV rights on the grounds that the Spanish firm will not act as an actual broadcaster.

It was reported earlier on Monday that Mediapro had won the 2018-21 rights for €1,050,001,000, with Sky failing to meet Serie A’s asking price.

However, a statement since released by Rupert Murdoch’s company reads: “Sky warns Lega Serie A League not to assign its TV rights to Mediapro.

“The Spanish media group, despite having presented an offer exclusively for ‘independent intermediaries’, would not operate as such but rather as a communications operator.

“For this reason, Sky asks the League to consider Mediapro’s offer unacceptable, stop negotiations with them and exclude them from the running.”

Calciomercato.com claims Mediapro plans to help Serie A launch its own channels, taking care of scheduling and editorial matters.

It has a similar arrangement with BeIN Sports, which entrusts Mediapro to operate its line-up of channels in Spain.