9 July 2015
Following a capital increase of €35m, Media Globe Networks, a company controlled by the Sawiris Family, becomes the majority shareholder of Euronews
Euronews announced that Media Globe Networks, a company owned by the Sawiris Family and managed by Naguib Sawiris, now holds 53% of shares of the international news media based in Lyon. The majority stake has been purchased through a capital increase of €35m. The remaining 47% of shares stay with Euronews’ traditional shareholders; 21 public television channels and 3 local authorities. The purchase of Media Globe Networks of Euronews’ capital comes after several months of exclusive negotiations, validated by an Extraordinary General Assembly on June 19th.
Since then, a dedicated Shareholders Agreement has been signed by the vast majority of the public shareholders, giving final validation to the entrance of Media Globe Networks to the capital.
Euronews will be governed by three distinctive bodies: The Supervisory Board, the Editorial Board and the Executive Board. The 10 members of the Editorial Board will be journalists or have a strong experience in the media area. Seven out of the 10 members of this Editorial Board, including the Chairman, will be directly appointed by the public shareholders of Euronews. The creation of the Editorial Board will allow an active permanent control of the independence and diversity of Euronews editorial line. This new governance, validated by all stakeholders, will ensure the preservation of the mission of general interest of the international news media as well as its editorial independence.
The Supervisory Board also renewed the directorship of Mr. Michael Peters as CEO of Euronews for a term of 4 years.
“I am grateful for the consistent support that the Euronews’ Shareholders demonstrated over the preceding months throughout this project, which will definitely put Euronews in a new dimension”, commented CEO Michael Peters. “The process of capital increase started one year ago. We chose to enter exclusive negotiations with Media Globe Networks, because of its clear commitment and guarantees to respect Euronews diversity and editorial independence. We are delighted to work alongside our new investor to expand our reach and service lines in order to reinforce Euronews’ position as a key-player in the media industry.”
“Euronews is a strong, global, independent and highly professional news media,” commented Naguib Sawiris, the Chairman and CEO of Media Globe Networks. “I believe that Euronews, with its unique expertise, has a huge potential for future growth and do fully support Michael Peters and his team in their aim of raising Euronews to the next level.”
“The public shareholders welcome the investment of Media Globe Networks and look forward to working alongside Naguib Sawiris to support the future growth and development of Euronews”, said Paolo Garimberti, current Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Euronews. “The new governance provides all the guarantees regarding the editorial independence of Euronews. The public shareholders will remain closely involved alongside the new investor for the success of this unique media.”
Founded in 1993, Euronews is producing international news and magazines 24/24 in 13 language editions available to 425 million households in 158 countries.
Euronews extends its agreement with CTH in Thailand
The international news channel is now available on mobile and IPTV, in addition to cable and satellite broadcasting.
(Lyon, 7 July) Euronews reinforces its position on the Thai audiovisual market, thanks to an important extension of its distribution agreement with one of the major operators in the country, CTH.
Broadcast since last year via cable and satellite, the agreement includes the availability of Euronews on the CTH mobile app, on iOS and Android. The recently launched app counts more than 65,000 downloads.
Moreover, CTH subscribers can have a 24/7 access to the English service of Euronews on both ZIPtv (IPTV) and CTH Everywhere (mobile application).
Arnaud Verlhac, Worldwide Distribution Director of Euronews said: “Thanks to our agreement in 2014, we immediately reached one million new households. It was a strong success for Euronews in Thailand. I’m thrilled that a couple months later, CTH chose the channel again and makes it available on its wide range of offers (cable, DTH, IPTV and mobile)”.
Sabrina Mimouni, Regional Distribution Manager Asia-Pacific added: “In Thailand, more people watch TV on their mobile devices than on TV screens. It was crucial to join the CTH mobile app. We are proud to announce that Euronews’ launch on the app has been a great success with more than 65,000 downloads”.
(Source: Euronews press release)
27 February 2015
Euronews’ Supervisory Board, which met on Tuesday in Paris, has mandated the Chairman of its Executive Board, Michael Peters, to hold exclusive negotiations on an equity-stake acquisition by one of the Sawiris’ family’s companies, headed by Naguib Sawiris. With a €35 million capital injection, the company would own 53% of the international news channel.
Established in 1993 by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Euronews is currently owned by 21 public television channels and 3 local authorities. Available in 13 languages, Euronews provides rolling coverage of world news produced by 600 journalists from over 30 countries. Euronews is a leading independent media hub, reaching over 420 million homes in 156 countries. It delivers a complete range of products, including websites, mobile applications, smart TV and radio.
To continue to lead in a highly competitive newsmedia environment, an ambitious strategic development plan was set up in 2014 with the unanimous support of its longstanding shareholders. The Strategic plan, based on the heritage and strong European values of the channel, focuses on four areas: content, non-linear innovation, brandvalue and diversification. The shareholders agreed to the strong growth potential presented through the plan, whose implementation requires significant additional funds. Based on this conviction, the shareholders decided to open Euronews’ capital to an independent investor. Banque Lazard has been appointed to drive the search for a new partner from within the countries affiliated with the EBU. Amongst the huge interest received, the offer made by Naguib Sawiris has been selected as best suiting the entire scope of requirements.
“Throughout the past decade, Euronews has truly become a bridge between nations. On the basis of its European perspective, the channel has attracted increasing interest from countries neighbouring the European Union. This makes Euronews unique.” commented Michael Peters. “Today we want to accelerate our growth. The arrival of Naguib Sawiris would be a tremendous asset to Euronews, as this investment would allow a quick implementation of our development plan, while maintaining our European public mission heritage.”
“The public shareholders who support Euronews since over 20 years remain strongly committed to this unique media experience in Europe”, added Paolo Garimberti, President of the Supervisory Board. “We trust that the combination of public and private shareholding will be beneficial for the future of Euronews, as it has already been in the past with Générale Occidentale and with ITN.”
“The Strategic plan for Euronews is based on a strong vision of the future of TV in the current media environment. A plan I believe in and I do fully support”, declared Naguib Sawiris. “I deeply appreciate the editorial values which are strongly attached to the Euronews brand and I will be committed to carefully respect the editorial independence and the mission of general interest of Euronews”.
This growth project fits with Euronews’ European DNA, in line with the partnership agreement signed with the European Commission.
The stake acquisition will only be approved by the Shareholders’ General Assembly after the full completion of the current exclusive negotiations. (Source: Euronews press release)
3 November 2014
Euronews and SportAccord have signed a historic collaboration for sports programming, which will enable the Global broadcaster and the Union of all 92 International Sports Federations to establish a new sports programme. The agreement was signed today between Michael Peters, CEO of Euronews group and Marius Vizer, President of SportAccord, at the annual International Forum for international sports federations in Lausanne.
The partnership will revolutionize the global news coverage of sports. Euronews, a multi-cultural news channel broadcasting in 13 languages will distribute original sports news to an upmarket audience with a worldwide geographical spread. Under the agreement, Euronews will, amongst others, run a weekly sports-programme « Sports United » starting from January 2015, as well as several special magazine shows, focusing on specific sport disciplines. Euronews viewers will also have access to major national, regional and international competitions, from football and gymnastics to beach volleyball and judo.
Each show will be produced in 13 languages and be broadcast to over 420 million households in 156 countries, as well as on digital media platforms.
« Sports United », a dynamic sports programme covering the entire scope of sports disciplines and competitions worldwide will air in 13 languages on Euronews starting January 2015.
Speaking about the historic partnership, Marius Vizer, President of SportAccord said, “We are very excited about the mutually beneficial partnership with Euronews. This Partnership will enable premium exposure for SportAccord Members and at the same time raise interest in all sports of the masses. Euronews, the international and multi-lingual news channel offers us the opportunity to highlight the richness of our federations’ activities and to make it accessible to a broad audience”.
Michael Peters, CEO, Euronews, added, “Today, it is very complex to buy and trade distribution rights for sport events. We decided to take a more global, high-level approach. SportAccord showed interest in the idea. Furthermore, this agreement came as a natural fit. At Euronews, our editorial team of over 400 journalists from 30 nationalities represents our channel’s diversity. It was natural to us to partner with SportAccord, an organisation that represents a broad, and nearly unlimited diversity of athletes, sports and disciplines. ”
« Sports United » show on Euronews
Sports news from around the world in your own language. A show that covers all sports, a must for passionate sports lovers. Available as of January 2015 on-air and on a broad range of digital platforms. (Source: Euronews press release)
9 October 2014
Michael Peters, CEO, has appointed Stephanie Schroeder as Director of External Relations and member of the Executive Committee.
Stephanie Schroeder is in charge of managing press, public and institutional relations, as well as relations with global partners of the Euronews Group.
Prior to this appointment, Stephanie Schroeder, of German origin, was Director of External Communication since 2010 for the Pernod Ricard Group. She replaces Grégoire de Rubiana, who has left the channel to pursue other projects. Stephanie is based at the Paris office of Euronews.
Michael Peters, CEO, stated: “I am delighted to welcome Stephanie Schroeder who has been working for nearly 20 years in communication for major corporations. Her personality and expertise in press and international relations are genuine assets for developing a communication strategy that supports the channel’s continuing transformation into a media group with global reach.”
Stephanie Schroeder, Director of External Relations, said: “I am very pleased to return to the media world, which is where I started my career. Euronews is a true generator of talents and ideas and offers a unique range of services in a highly competitive media market. Thanks to the channel’s diversity and worldwide presence, Euronews ranks among the leaders in producing and broadcasting multilingual content. I am proud to play a part in Euronews’ future development.”
About Stephanie Schroeder
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Stephanie Schroeder’s previous positions include Director of External Communication for Dassault Systèmes (2007-2010), Director of Group Communication for TNT Express (2004-2007), Head of press relations for Mercedes-Benz France (2000-2004) and Western Europe press relations manager for Intel Corporation (1997-2000).
Stephanie Schroeder began her career as a journalist. Based in Munich, Germany, she worked with the radio stations ‘Deutschlandfunk’ and ‘Radio Gong’; in print media for the magazines ‘Kino & Film’ and ‘Gong’; and in television for five years with ‘Tele 5’. She also worked freelance for the German news desk of Euronews. Stephanie has a Masters degree in Art History from Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich and studied Drama at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in London. |
3 February 2014
Euronews registered record viewing figures on YouTube in 2013, with 13.6 million unique viewers* in the month of December and an overall rise of 160% in its viewing figures over the year*. This new record makes Euronews the world’s no.1 news media on YouTube. *Figures Comscore VideoMetrix – December 2013
It was on the occasion of the MIPTV conference in April 2013 that Michael Peters, CEO of Euronews, unveiled the YouTube strategy and the original content channel, Euronews Knowledge. At the time, Euronews was the 3rd most watched news channel on the video sharing platform, so the objective then was to become number one within a year. The objective was achieved in just 8 months; furthermore, between December 2012 and December 2013, Euronews’ YouTube hits jumped by 160%.
Damien Marchi, Director of Product Marketing and Innovation, stated: “I’m very proud of the Euronews YouTube teams led by Mikhail Konrad, Senior Product Manager YouTube . The objective was achieved thanks to their motivation, expertise and collaboration with all the Euronews editorial and technical teams.”
At the same time, another element came to reinforce the non-linear strategy of Euronews as the news organisation became the second media outlet in Europe to be certified by YouTube for its expertise in the creation and management of YouTube channels. As a certified Multi-Channel Network, Euronews can make its know-how available to partners who want to launch on YouTube or improve their current performance. This service is accessible via Euronews Network and is designed for partners and clients of Euronews. (Source: Press release)
www.youtube.com/euronews
