EUROSPORT AND TENNIS CHANNEL ANNOUNCE ROLAND GARROS PRODUCTION PARTNERSHIP

Eurosport is broadcasting Roland Garros in 54 countries across Europe*, including every minute from every court of the French Open on the Eurosport Player.  The partnership will enrich Eurosport’s coverage with additional sources of content to be shown during and between live matches at this year’s Roland Garros.  Eurosport will have access to new camera angles, highlights and archive footage and the ability to integrate this content instantaneously during and in-between live match coverage.

Peter Hutton, Eurosport CEO, said: “Tennis Channel has been a true innovator in tennis broadcasting in the US and we are looking forward to integrating new ideas, stories and content into our coverage which will engage and excite our fans in Europe.   As we continue to build enhanced and more locally relevant production, our collaboration with Tennis Channel and having even greater access to compelling content is a hugely exciting opportunity for us.”

Bob Whyley, Tennis Channel Senior Vice President of Production and Executive Producer, said: “Eurosport is one of the best at what they do, and it’s a privilege for Tennis Channel to have the opportunity to work with them. Tennis Channel exists to bring as much tennis as possible to as many fans who want to watch, with high-quality production values that are standard for other sports. Eurosport, with its wide reach as one of the top providers of the sport in Europe, allows us to expand that mission and help give millions more people a better tennis experience.”

To provide the new content, Tennis Channel is incorporating Eurosport into its Roland Garros infrastructure, which is provided by VER, and includes actual content, its media management system and on-site facilities.  The media management system stores all content generated during the tournament including full matches, highlight packages, images from alternative camera angles and any built elements, such as graphics.  All this content is then available for programming immediately or in later days, months or years.

In return, Eurosport is making available its content, footage, cameras viewpoints and stand up positions to Tennis Channel to support its broadcast within the United States.

Ahead of Roland Garros, Eurosport confirmed that former world number ones Chris Evert, the eighteen-time Grand Slam winner, and John McEnroe, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, will return to its commentary team this year.  They will be joined for the first time by Ilie Nastase, the celebrated Romanian former world number one and two-time Grand Slam champion.

Fans will be able to enjoy their expert insight during live match commentary, in-studio match analysis and dedicated French Open programming, such as the flagship analysis show ‘Game, Set and Mats’.  As part of the show, John McEnroe will return to set the tennis world to rights as ‘The Commissioner’.

The star-studded line-up includes Sweden’s Mats Wilander, seven time Grand Slam including three time French Open winner, Spain’s Alex Corretja, twice French Open finalist, Austria’s Barbara Schett, former world number seven, and Serena Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

ENDS.

*Eurosport will show exclusive coverage in a number of markets including Denmark, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia and Sweden.