Discovery Communications Starts Early Eurosport Takeover Talks

Discovery Communications is fast-tracking talks about a possible acquisition of a majority stake in pan-European sportscaster Eurosport, "possibly taking control of the group, currently controlled by France’s TF1, earlier than observers had expected," according to Scott Roxborough of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Discovery "agreed in December to pay" TF1 $222M for a 20% stake in Eurosport. That deal "included a call option" allowing Discovery to take a 51% stake. TF1 said that the partners have begun negotiations to "evaluate whether Discovery will exercise its call option prior to the agreed upon date." The addition of Eurosport to Discovery's stable "would further strengthen Discovery's already strong position in Europe." The Discovery Channel "is the continent's most widely distributed network," with 270 int'l channels across 212 major operators in 43 territories (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 11/21).