Discovery Communications has "completed its deal to take majority control" of Eurosport France, boosting its share in the sports network from 20% to 51%, according to Scott Roxborough of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. The deal is part of a "broader move by Discovery to consolidate its interests in Eurosport, Europe's leading sports entertainment group." The deal values Eurosport France at around $91M and Eurosport Int'l, including French operations, at $966M. Discovery Communications CEO David Zaslav said in a statement, "Bringing the French business and its talented employees back into the larger organization illustrates Discovery's commitment to building on the success of this great brand" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 3/31). MULTICHANNEL NEWS' Mike Farrell reported over the last 10 months, Discovery and Eurosport have signed numerous sports rights deals -- including Major League Soccer, Spanish cycling, winter sports and FIFA Women's World Cup across Europe, and Moto GP in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands (MULTICHANNEL NEWS, 3/31).
