Discovery Communications : Eurosport Adds Formula E To Burgeoning Motorsports Portfolio

Live action from Formula E will appear on Eurosport from the 2017/18 season

Eurosport has extended its agreement with the FIA Formula E Championship that will see the broadcaster showcase the thrilling series to all of Europe for the first time from the 2017-18 season.

For three years starting on the weekend of 2-3 December 2017 with a double-header in Hong Kong, all 14 races from iconic cities such as New York City and Paris - as well as new additions Rome, Santiago and Sao Paulo - will be broadcast live on Eurosport across the continent.

From this season, Eurosport will hold exclusive and sub-licensing rights across Europe (excluding UK and Italy where Eurosport holds non-exclusive rights). Eurosport will sub-licence some rights to free to air broadcasters which will complement its own coverage in selected markets*.

As the 'Home of Formula E' in Europe, Eurosport now offers brands the opportunity to associate with the rapidly growing motor sport and connect with its fans on TV, digital and social media across much of Europe for the first time in one connected environment.

Eurosport broadcast the FIA Formula E Championship for the first time in the German, Polish and Nordics regions in 2015 with the Netherlands added to the list of countries that showed the series last year.

Feted for its position at the forefront of innovation and new technologies, the FIA Formula E Championship this season will see Audi, Citroen-DS, Renault and Jaguar take to the grid in fully-electric single-seaters driven by some of the biggest names in motor racing including Brazilian superstar Nelson Piquet Jr, Germany's Nick Heidfeld as well as reigning champion Lucas di Grassi.

Eurosport CEO Peter Hutton said: 'With its unique approach to innovation and willingness to try new things to deepen engagement with passionate motorsport fans, there is a very real symmetry between Formula E and Eurosport's values.

'Having broadcast the championship on Eurosport for the past two seasons, we believe we have played an important part in helping to grow the sport. Particularly when you consider our established coverage of motorsport in Europe, we are thrilled to be able to play a part in bringing the sport to more people and seeing Formula E back on Eurosport's screens once again for 2017-18.'

Alejandro Agag, Founder & CEO of Formula E, said: 'It's fantastic news to extend our existing partnership with Eurosport and Discovery - as well as expand our broadcast and digital outreach across Europe, which is such a crucial market to the growing popularity of Formula E and increased demand for electric vehicle uptake.

'As the Home of the Olympics in Europe - Eurosport and Discovery is perfectly-placed to tell the unique story of the electric street racing series and its leading protagonists - the inspiring city-centre locations, renowned teams and manufacturers, along with the faces behind the wheel fighting to be crowned champion.'

Jonathan Davies, Managing Director, Advertiser Partnerships, Discovery Networks International and Eurosport, said: 'Formula E's electric street racing series is soaring in popularity as a new generation of motorsport that is pioneering emerging technologies. As the lead broadcaster for Formula E in Europe, Eurosport is offering brands a unique opportunity to partner with this innovative sport and become part of the experience for millions of fans across TV, digital and social media.'

With the acquisition of the rights to Formula E in Europe, Eurosport strengthens its portfolio of motorsport events and series that includes the prestigious Le Mans 24h race (Europe and Asia-Pacific), Moto GP (six European markets), the World Touring Car Championship (Europe and Asia-Pacific) and the SBK World Championships (Europe).

Fans can keep up-to-date with all of the action from the FIA Formula E Championship via www.eurosport.com/allmotorsports and www.fiaformulae.com
*In France, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland, Czech Republic and Israel

2017-18 FIA Formula E Championship calendar:

2-3 December 2017 - Hong Kong, Hong Kong Central Harbourfront Circuit

13 January 2018 - Marrakesh, Morocco, Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan

3 February 2018 - Santiago, Chile

3 March 2018 - Mexico City, Mexico, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

17 March 2018 - Sao Paulo, Brazil

14 April 2018 - Rome, Italy

28 April 2018 - Paris, France, Paris Street Circuit

19 May 2018 - Berlin, Germany, Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit

10 June 2018 - Zurich, Switzerland

14-15 July 2018 - New York City, USA, Brooklyn Street Circuit

28-29 July 2018 - Montreal, Canada, Montreal Street Circuit

ENDS
About Eurosport
Eurosport is the number one sport destination in Europe, fuelling the passion of fans and connecting them with the greatest sports events in the world. As the new Home of the Olympic Games in Europe, Eurosport will deliver the ultimate Games experience to more people, on more screens, than ever before - bringing fans closer to their local heroes through year-long storytelling. Firmly established as the Home of Cycling, Grand Slam Tennis and Winter Sport, Eurosport channels - Eurosport 1, Eurosport 2 and Eurosportnews - reach 231 million cumulative subscribers across 95 countries in Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Eurosport.com is Europe's No 1 online sports news website with up to 60 million users per month. Eurosport Player, the all-access on demand digital pass, is available anytime and on any device in 52 countries. Eurosport Events specializes in the management and promotion of international sporting events. More information is available by visiting corporate.eurosport.com.

About the FIA Formula E Championship

The FIA Formula E Championship is the electric street racing series and the world's first fully-electric international single-seater category in motorsport. Formula E brings electrifying wheel-to-wheel action to some of the world's leading cities, racing against the backdrop of iconic skylines such as New York, Hong Kong, Paris and Rome.

The inaugural season of Formula E sparked into life in September 2014 around the grounds of the Olympic Park in Beijing. The fourth edition of the FIA Formula E Championship will see 10 teams and 20 drivers compete in 11 cities spanning five continents in the fight to be crowned Formula E champion. Hong Kong hosts the season-opener over the course of two days on December 2 & 3, with the championship coming to a close in Montreal on July 28 & 29.

Formula E is a competitive platform to test and develop road-relevant technologies, acting as a catalyst for sustainable mobility solutions - helping refine the design and functionality of electric vehicle components and improving the driving experience for everyday road car users all over the world.

For this season, more manufacturers have joined the electric revolution with reigning champion Lucas di Grassi looking to defend his title behind the wheel of the Audi-backed ABT Schaeffler team. More big-name manufacturers have also committed to race in Formula E - including BMW in tandem with the new-look car and battery in season five, along with Mercedes-Benz.