Eleven Sports confirmed they are “in discussion with our rights partners” for La Liga and Serie A in the UK, but denied reports they are in financial difficulties.
The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian had suggested the streaming company could close down after just four months.
It had hoped to sub-licence the rights to broadcasting companies like Sky, BT Sport or Virgin Media, but no such deals materialised.
This prompted reports they would hand the rights back and close down, but a spokesperson insisted that was not the case.
“We are in discussion with our rights partners. Without carriage agreements with the existing platforms, alongside the challenges posed by rampant piracy, the market dynamics in the UK & Ireland are very hostile for new entrants.”
UFC have already activated an exit clause in their contract ahead of the start in January because no deal could be found for redistribution.
It is understood Eleven Sports is not in financial difficulties and the problems in the UK are in isolation rather than impacting on other markets in which it operates.
In May, Eleven Sports signed three-year contracts to show La Liga and Serie A games in the UK and Ireland.
