Sportflix, a new company based in Mexico, said it will launch its live sports SVOD service globally on August 30. But various rights holders contest Sportflix’ claims.
The SVOD service said it will offer major sports events including Champions League, the main European football leagues such as Premier League, the Argentine tournament, Formula 1 racing, US sports such as NBA, NHL, NFL, and the UFC (mixed martial arts). Packages will be available from $19.99 a month up to $29.99; some events will be sold on a PPV basis rather than by subscription. A Twitter feed gives the latest news.
According to founder Matías Said he expects some 400,000 subscribers by the end of the year, and more than ten million people worldwide will be interested in the service.
The new service will be available on smart TVs, laptops, PCs, Android and iOS devices
However, soon after the announcement by Sportflix, various rights holders including Globo of Brasil, Fox Sports Latin America, ESPN and others said there were no contracts in place giving the new platform the right to distribute these games.
Meanwhile Sportflix’s PR agency Vivian Smith PR of Mexico, sent out a press release saying that the company has ceased working for the sports broadcaster with immediate effect, without naming any reasons, but stressing that it has fulfilled all contractual obligations to Sportflix.