Comcast has acquired Sky Sports, a large European broadcaster with rights to major sports across the continent. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
Comcast outbid Disney-owned Fox in a weekend auction for a majority share in European broadcaster Sky. The deal has large ramifications for international sports coverage.
Sky has 23 million subscribers across five countries—the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, and Italy—and a host of major sports rights including English Premier League soccer, cricket, golf, Formula 1, tennis, and rugby. Comcast ultimately bid £17.28 ($22.71) per share for the available 61 percent stake.