Eurosport secures Vuelta a España rights

Discovery-backed sports channel Eurosport has extended its partnership with the Vuelta a España cycling tour and has secured TV and digital rights to the event until 2020.

The deal, which was renewed through the EBU after a tender process, gives Eurosport rights in all 54 markets in which it is active, including exclusive rights in markets including France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK – the latter for live coverage only.

Eurosport’s cycling portfolio now includes the three Grand Tours and the leading one day and multi-day stage races, delivering fans a total of 1,800 hours of TV coverage on Eurosport and Eurosport 2.

“As we enter the twentieth year in our broadcast of the Vuelta a España, I am delighted to extend our long-term partnership with this great property until 2020,” said Jean-Thierry Augustin, CEO of Eurosport Group.

“Vuelta a España and cycling is in our DNA and, in 2014, 100 million different European viewers enjoyed the sport on our TV channels. We are pleased to support and contribute to the growth of this premium property across Europe and look forward to bringing all the action and drama to the fans.”

Separately, Eurosport has struck a deal with SportAccord to launch a comprehensive new weekly sports magazine show, Sports United. The show will feature over 300 sports.

“SportAccord, in partnership with the international sports federations, has been able to make an exceptional beginning with Sports United. 92 international sports will get an equal chance to utilise a common platform for visibility. We are thankful to Euronews for being our partners in this endeavour and look forward to a great partnership to ensure that a well-defined product reaches out to sports fans globally to provide information and power aspirations. I have to point out that none of this would be possible without the encouragement and participation of the primary players- the international sports federations,” said Marius Vizer, president of SportAccord.