ITV

Tag: TF1 Group

  • French pubcaster looks to woo younger audience

    French pubcaster looks to woo younger audience

    NEW DELHI: At a time when Prasar Bharati is embroiled in tussles with the government over autonomy, public service broadcasters like BBC and France’s France Télévisions are working to attract younger audiences. 

     

    While the BBC had issued a Green Paper not so long ago in this connection, now French public service broadcaster France Télévisions has appointed Delphine Ernotte as its first  woman CEO, who is keen to attract a younger audience.

     

    Previously head of Orange France, Ernotte is taking control of the reins at the pubcaster, succeeding Rémy Pflimlin. Rodolphe Belmer, former Canal+ executive, has been named as strategy advisor.

     

    Ernotte has also recruited two executives from TF1 Group. While TMC and NT1 former managing director Caroline Got will handle programming and digital strategy, Germain Dagognet, has been appointed deputy head of news.

     

    Ernotte and her team aim to find new revenue streams to compensate the loss of advertising income.

     

    The group, whose global budget amounts to €2.8 billion, has said that it will certainly fail to reach its financial break-even objective at the end of 2015.

     

    Ernotte aims to accelerate digital and multi-devices development, launch a DTT service or web news channel, and break even.

  • Discovery to acquire full control of Eurosport for €491 million from TF1

    Discovery to acquire full control of Eurosport for €491 million from TF1

    NEW DELHI: Discovery Communications, which had earlier acquired a controlling stake in sports broadcaster Eurosport France by increasing its share to 51 per cent, is now acquiring full ownership for €491 million from TF1 Group.

     

    The TF1 Group will exercise a put option on its 49 per cent ownership stake as part of the companies’ previous 2012 agreement.

     

    “Discovery Communications is excited to expand and deepen our investment in Eurosport as we continue to strengthen our newest global brand with locally relevant sports rights that create value for fans, advertisers and distributors,” said Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslav.

     

    “In 2012, we began our investment with a 20 per cent stake in Eurosport and increased that investment to 51 per cent. Taking full control of Eurosport is the culmination of our commitment to strengthening Eurosport as a premier sports brand and fully integrating this business within Discovery’s unmatched global portfolio. I would like to thank TF1 for being great partners to us on this journey for the past few years,” he added.

     

    “We are delighted by the excellent relationship between Discovery and TF1 since we began our partnership in 2012. After an initial phase of creating value via acquisitions of equity stakes, which accelerated the development of Eurosport and the theme channels, we intend to continue our collaboration in the years ahead,” added TF1 chairman and CEO Nonce Paolini.

     

    The agreement also includes a provision for TF1 to buy back Discovery’s 20 per cent interest in TV Breizh, Histoire, and Ushua?a TV for €15 million. Both transactions are expected to close at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

     

    Since May 2014, Discovery and Eurosport have acquired more than 7,500 hours of coverage – with more than 3,300 of that live – per year across more than 50 properties signed. From UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Major League Soccer, expanding on Bundesliga soccer, Spanish cycling, Winter Ski Jumping, Wimbledon in Belgium, and FIFA Women’s World Cup across Europe, to Moto GP in Germany, Belgium and Netherlands, these new rights strengthen the Eurosport channels and bring the most compelling sporting events to local fans everywhere.

     

    In June, Discovery/Eurosport won the TV and multiplatform rights for the Olympic Games from 2018 to 2024, reinforcing Eurosport as the home of Olympic sports all year long. The agreement allows for more European sports fans to access the games on more platforms and screens than ever before. With almost half of Eurosport’s existing programming being Olympic sports, Discovery and Eurosport say they will now engage passionate fans around these key sports 365 days a year. Discovery and Eurosport will have access to the Olympic emblems and the rich Olympic video library and archive, which will further solidify Eurosport’s position as the pan-European home of Olympic sports.

  • Discovery gets controlling stake in Eurosport France

    Discovery gets controlling stake in Eurosport France

    NEW DELHI: Discovery Communications has completed the acquisition of a controlling interest in Eurosport France to consolidate further Europe’s leading sports entertainment group. 

     

    Discovery increased its interest in Eurosport France to 51 per cent from 20 per cent as part of a larger strategic partnership with TF1 Group that began in December 2012.

     

    Discovery took a controlling interest in Eurosport International to build scale across Europe and Asia, and add valuable sports content to its global media assets spanning more than 220 countries and territories.

     

    The closing price in 2014 for Eurosport International was based on an average enterprise valuation for the Eurosport Group of approximately €900 million, partly corresponding to the initial valuation and partly to a higher valuation linked to the control of the company. At that time, the value of Eurosport France (€85 million) was deducted. TF1 retains the ability to exercise a put option over the remaining 49 per cent in the now combined Eurosport Group, which, if exercised, would increase Discovery’s ownership to 100 cent.

     

    “I am more excited than ever about Eurosport. Bringing the French business and its talented employees back into the larger organisation illustrates Discovery’s commitment to building on the success of this great brand. Since acquiring a controlling interest last May, Discovery has made a series of strategic investments to enhance Eurosport’s offerings with affiliates, advertisers and audiences. We are ambitiously strengthening Eurosport by bringing exciting sporting events to local fans across Europe and Asia. I would like to thank TF1 for its great stewardship and continued partnership,” said Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zasla. 

     

    “We are pleased with the consolidation of Eurosport France under Discovery Communications’ leadership. Eurosport Group is performing well and will continue to benefit from Discovery’s strategic investments and expertise around the world,” added TF1 Group chairman and CEO Nonce Paolini.

     

    Over the last 10 months, Discovery and Eurosport have signed numerous sports rights deals – from Major League Soccer, Spanish cycling, winter sports and FIFA Women’s World Cup across Europe, to Moto GP in Germany, Belgium and Netherlands – to strengthen the Eurosport channels with compelling sporting events.

     

    “Eurosport France is a cornerstone of the Eurosport Group and will continue to be an important business for us, with dedicated teams and resources in the key French market, where Eurosport is headquartered. Furthermore, Eurosport France and its employees will benefit from rejoining the larger organisation and Discovery’s 30 years as a global media company. We can now truly operate as one team and I am thrilled with the progress we are making. We are really just getting started,” said Eurosport CEO Peter Hutton.