Eurosport today announced that it has extended its partnership with the Vuelta a España, the third and last Grand Tour of the cycling season, by securing all TV and digital rights of the event until 2020.
The agreement, which was renewed through the EBU following a tender process, incorporates all 54 territories covered by Eurosport in Europe, and features exclusive rights in key markets including France, Germany, Italy, Poland and UK*.
The premier cycling event will continue to be covered live on the Eurosport channel, which is also available on PC, mobile, tablet and connected TV via Eurosport Player, Eurosport’s online subscription service.
The deal reinforces Eurosport’s status as the ”Home of Cycling” and its unrivalled coverage of over 40 events every season. Eurosport’s cycling portfolio 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.
Jean-Thierry Augustin, CEO, Eurosport Group commented: “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. 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.”
*coverage is exclusive in the UK on the live broadcast only
**Sources: AGF/GfK, BARB, SKO, MMS, TNS-Gallup, Kantar Media, AGB NMR, Armadata/Kantar- Techedge