PARIS — Eurosport, the n°1 pan-European TV channel*, launched today in high definition in the UK & Ireland on Sky, the biggest satellite platform in Europe.
Eurosport HD, the simulcast service of Eurosport International, adds to Eurosport’s existing offer on Sky in the UK & Ireland, currently British Eurosport and Eurosport 2. In the first month of broadcast alone, sports fans will be able to enjoy the last 10 days of the Tour de France and the Beijing Olympic Games in high definition.
Nicola Bamford, Director of Channels and Operations, BSkyB, UK & Ireland, comments: “We’re delighted to welcome yet another high quality channel brand to our leading HD service. The success of Sky+ HD is testament to the quality, depth and range of the HD content available to our customers. Eurosport will only further enhance the choice and experience available to Sky+ HD homes.”
Eurosport HD began broadcasting in selected European territories in May to coincide with the tennis French Open at Roland Garros, and has now added the UK market to its growing expansion. Over 30 major carriage deals for the HD simulcast of Eurosport’s flagship channel have already been signed across 17 countries in Europe. Further roll-out across European markets is expected to evolve rapidly with more contracts to be announced over the coming weeks.
The Eurosport group has invested in high definition as a key priority for 2008. In a year of major sporting events the Eurosport channel will offer more sports content produced in native high definition, across the widest variety of sports, than any sports channel distributed across Europe.
Jean-Thierry Augustin, General Manager, Distribution and Development, Eurosport Group, adds, “Sport, especially LIVE**, is spectacular in high definition, it transforms the viewing experience for sports fans and, as the leading sports TV channel in Europe, it was a natural move for Eurosport to enrich its TV offer with HD. Together with Eurosport and Eurosport 2, Eurosport in high definition guarantees all Sky subscribers in the UK & Ireland, a truly enhanced channel content offer.”
Panasonic is Eurosport’s Official HD Partner.
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*EMS Survey 2007, n° 1 pan-European TV channel (13 years running)
** more than 50% of Eurosport’s sports content is LIVE
Heather Bowler
Director of International Media Relations
Eurosport SA
3 rue René et Gaston Caudron
92798 Issy les Moulineaux Cedex 9 – France
T: + 33 1 40 93 81 42