The Extreme Sports Channel is seen on a variety of platforms in 53 countries and is available in 18 million households across Europe, Middle East and Asia. It was launched with cable partner UPC in 1999. It is a joint venture between the Extreme Sports Group and Chellomedia, the content division of UGC Europe which is owned by Liberty Media.
The Extreme Sports Channel is highest profile of the group’s operating divisions which also include online retailing, clothing , drinks operation, mobile telecommunications, events and even theme parks. Last week the company acquired a chain of surf shops.
The Extreme Group is seen by many as the pioneer of ‘niche’ sport television channels made possible by digital cable and satellite. The company was founded in 1996 by CEO Al Gosling to capitalise on a personal love of action sports. The company made and sold extreme sports programming to broadcasters around the world and became synonymous with the growing action sports sector.
The Extreme Sports Channel capitalised on the companies image and programming when it launched in Amsterdam in 1999.
Today is broadcasts its mix of actionsports, music and lifestyle programming 24/7 while separately branded programming blocks are aired by broadcasters including Fox on the USA.
The company’s TV production and distribution operation will not necessarily be included in any sale.
