Eurosport secures US exposure

Eurosport will show a programming block on pay-television in the US for the first time under an arrangement with media and entertainment company Discovery Communications, a stakeholder in the pan-regional sports broadcaster.

From September 28, Discovery’s pay-television channel Velocity will show a new motorsports highlights programming block called ‘Eurosport on Velocity’ every Saturday afternoon.

The coverage will include the 2013 Fédération International de l’Automobile European Rally Championship. Eurosport Events, Eurosport Group’s sport events management division, will manage and promote the event.

The programming block will also show highlights of British Superbikes motorcycling, the Silk Way Rally car and truck event and the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge five-day race.

Last December it was announced that Discovery would acquire an initial 20% stake in Eurosport, with the option of increasing its interest to 51% two years later. TF1 would then have the option of selling its remaining 49% stake in Eurosport to Discovery.