In 2009 Eurosport celebrates 20 years as a leader and pioneer in sports media entertainment.
The flagship channel Eurosport was launched in 1989 by the European Broadcasting Union as the first pan-European TV channel dedicated to sports. Since then, the Eurosport group, owned 100% by French media leader TF1, has anticipated the ever changing media market and has evolved to become Europe's leading sports entertainment group.
"Eurosport has successfully transformed from No.1 leading TV channel to Europe’s leading sports multimedia platform. As we celebrate 20 years of existence, we will continue to innovate and implement the necessary steps to maintain our position as Europe’s leading sports entertainment group", affirms Laurent-Eric Le Lay, Chairman and CEO, Eurosport Group.
The Eurosport group will roll out major digital initiatives and business developments that will progressively be announced throughout the year 2009.
A special anniversary programming cycle celebrating 20 years of sport history and a singular on-air and on-line take-over will be featured on Eurosport's channels and multimedia platform from May 16-25, 2009. The media announcements and on air and on-line festivities will all lead up to Eurosport's anniversary celebration on May 25.
Eurosport, the flagship TV channel
Eurosport was one of the pioneers of new cable and satellite technology by launching a multi-lingual European channel in 1989. Initially launched in English, Dutch and German, Eurosport launched a French version in 1992 and passed the bar of 10 languages (with Russian) in 1996.
Today the channel is broadcast simultaneously in 20 languages and 95% of the daily 22 million viewers watch Eurosport in their own language.
The channel Eurosport has enjoyed two decades of success and since1995 has consistently been ranked No.1 PETV channel by EMS and continues to maintain that leadership today.
Eurosport's continued leadership is attributed both to the quality and variety of its programming and to the expertise of the over 700 international staff members. Eurosport has been providing fans with the greatest variety of live sports programming with over 120 different sports disciplines covered on the channel.
This coverage is given through the eyes of the world's most prominent sports authorities and former champions. The enthusiasm and experience of our editorial teams and the expertise of our production and technical teams have made Eurosport the reference sports channel in Europe.
Paving the way to future success: harnessing digital initiatives
In 2009, the Eurosport group will continue to leverage the past 20 years of success to develop future projects that will ensure the group’s leadership in tomorrow’s changing media environment.
To maintain loyalty of both sports fans and partners, Eurosport is investing in new technologies and developing new business models that will further transform and enhance the overall sports media experience across all markets.
"Eurosport has been a solid reference for viewers and business partners for the past 20 years. Our powerful media sports platform delivers fans the best in sports entertainment while providing partners with reliable and accountable business solutions", explains Jacques Raynaud, Vice-Chairman Eurosport Group.
To maintain its position as a truly interactive multimedia platform, the Eurosport group is developing new online subscriber services and content, which will complement our linear TV offer such as the recent launch of a video-on-demand (VOD) service.
Eurosport will continue expanding its global online presence with more local language internet sites, such as the recent January launch of a Polish language Eurosport site (www.eurosport.pl), and other language versions planned for launch throughout 2009.
Furthermore, in order to enhance the interactive experience and to create proximity with different audiences and communities, Eurosport will launch innovative ways for sports fans to interact with and enjoy sports.
For the past two decades the Eurosport group, as the reference in sports media, has demonstrated its capacity to anticipate market evolutions and to consistently innovate to maintain leadership. Eurosport is committed to providing audiences across all platforms with top quality sports entertainment and all future developments will keep that primary goal in mind.
