Warner Media LLC

07/03/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/03/2024 10:20

OLYMPIC LEGENDS, NATIONAL HEROES AND INSPIRATIONAL ATHLETES SET TO SHINE FOR EUROSPORT’S IMMERSIVE COVERAGE OF PARIS 2024 ON MAX AND DISCOVERY+

  • The experience and expertise of former Olympians, boasting 132 medals, are set to shine a light on the Olympics like never before for Eurosport this summer
  • New product innovations to help streaming subscribers to break free and enjoy every moment of the Olympics on Max and discovery+* their way
  • Scott Young: "Fans will have access to the ultimate Olympic viewing experience with our presentation teams ready to unlock the power of Paris 2024."

PARIS, LONDON, 3 JULY 2024: Eurosport, the Home of the Olympics in Europe, today lifts the curtain on its world-beating expert line-up for its wall-to-wall coverage of the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024.

The return of the Olympics to Europe for the first time in 12 years will be marked by a monumental celebration of the Olympic Spirit with no line-up of acclaimed athletes better placed to bring the excitement to fans across Europe.

Celebrating its first Olympics as part of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), Eurosport will show the Olympic Games Paris 2024 across 47 markets in 19 languages on its platforms Max and discovery+ with television coverage on Eurosport's channels.

Reporting from the heart of Paris' iconic landmarks, awe-inspiring venues and its perfectly Parisian rooftop studio at WBD House, in addition to its local market studios, Eurosport's coverage promises to deliver the most immersive Olympics ever across Max and discovery+*.

Scott Young, Group SVP Content, Production and Business Operations at WBD Sports Europe, said: "As the Home of the Olympics and powered by the greatest storytelling engine anywhere, Team Eurosport stands unmatched in terms of Olympic expertise and experience. We have assembled an incredible cast of more than 100 of the greatest Olympians from across Europe to deliver top-class insight, analysis, and entertainment across 19 exciting days of competition. Drawing on their own personal Olympic journeys, they will bring all the moments that matter to life for millions of fans across the continent.

"Taking audiences closer to the action and stories, fans will have access to the ultimate and unmissable Olympic companion experience on Max and discovery+. Boosted by new in-app enhancements, customisable features and exciting original content, these platforms will be the only place to enjoy every moment of the Olympics and are set to drive even greater fandom, entertainment and passion while igniting the Olympics like never before."

MEDAL MACHINES, INSPIRATIONAL ICONS AND SPORTING STARS

With a staggering 132 medals won, including 47 gold medals, and 244 Olympic appearances** between them, Eurosport's team of nearly 100 decorated experts will better connect athlete stories with fans by providing a unique inside view that can only be told by those have lived through the unique Olympic experience.

The extensive list of distinguished experts include:

  • Rio 2016 gymnastics gold medallist & World Champion, Fabian Hambüchen (Germany)
  • Olympic track cycling gold medallist & 14-time World Champion, Arnaud Tournant (France)
  • Athens 2004 Heptathlon Olympic champion, Carolina Kluft (Sweden)
  • Double Olympic rowing champion & seven-time World Champion, James Cracknell (GB)
  • Double Olympic swimming champion & five-time World Champion, Alain Bernard (France)

With additional star names such as Catalina Ponor (Romania, Gymnastics), Jo Rowsell (GB, Cycling) and Robert Korzeniowski (Poland, Athletics), Eurosport will offer an unparalleled and unforgettable viewing experience of the world's greatest sporting event for fans.

PRODUCT INNOVATIONS CREATE THE ULTIMATE, UNMISSABLE COMPANION EXPERIENCE

Showcasing an unmatched 3,800 live hours, Max and discovery+, Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming platforms have been supercharged to deliver the highest quality video service available anywhere.

This includes live and uninterrupted streaming of every moment, featuring all 329 medal events, the Opening and Closing ceremonies in HDR for viewers across Europe*** and multi-feed audio enabling users to select up to 20 languages. Eurosport will also be the voice of Games with more than 400 commentators across its markets bringing coverage to life through the most passionate and insightful event commentary.

Streaming users can enjoy a multi-screen Olympic experience, allowing fans to watch at home or on the move, from stadium to street, via TV, mobile or tablet. All 32 Olympic sports will have their own dedicated page with users able to add specific events to their watch lists on Max. In-play discovery capability**** also allows the user to move seamlessly from live event to event while gold medal alerts inform users of imminent unmissable moments

For 15 sports*****, the innovative timeline markers feature will identify key moments so users can directly navigate to that point in time for web and mobile app users, ensuring iconic sporting moments will be witnessed by even more fans. And for the lean back experience, an editorially curated blend of live events, highlights and additional content will be available through simulcasts of Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 within the apps.

BREAK FREE CAMPAIGN CELEBRATES THE CITY AND ITS CHAMPIONS

Warner Bros. Discovery's new 'Break Free' marketing campaign underpins its promotion of Max throughout the Olympics. Launching on 8 July across Europe, a new 60-second film celebrates the joyful vibrancy of Paris' playground and signifies the ability of streaming users to break free to enjoy the Olympics any way they choose.

NEW PARTNERSHIPS SHOWCASE STRENGTH OF FIRST EUROPEAN GAMES IN 12 YEARS

For the first time since London 2012, fans across Europe can enjoy the biggest moments from the Olympic Games during primetime broadcast windows as Eurosport celebrates its 'Home Games'. The appeal from advertisers has never been stronger with WBD attracting a record amount of multi-market sponsorship agreements with new and returning premium Presenting Partners including Bridgestone, Samsung and ADP.

New content partnerships with world-leading social media platforms including Snapchat will also bring the Olympics to new fans through exclusive behind-the-scenes content, expanding the reach of the Games for all to enjoy. Millions of fans in France and the UK will be able to enjoy a free daily show on the platform throughout the Games including the wonderful, weird and wacky must-see moments while bringing users closer to the showbiz side of the Olympics.

THAT'S NOT ALL FOLKS

Warner Bros. Discovery is also leveraging its entire portfolio of much-loved consumer brands and IP to develop new cross-platform content throughout Paris. The iconic characters from the world of Looney Tunes will come together to educate audiences about the perfect performances needed to succeed alongside the perils and pitfalls of different Olympic sports through the new Looney Tunes: Sports Made Simple explainers.

This is alongside new original content launching ahead of the Olympics including the Eurosport-produced documentary 4 August - An Olympic Odyssey, which premieres on 3 July and analyses the monumental moments occurring on this date throughout history.

From Jesse Owens humiliating Hitler at Berlin 1936; to Fanny Blankers-Koen demolishing prejudices about gender, age and motherhood at London 1948; and Super Saturday gripping Team GB at London 2012, 4 August - An Olympic Odyssey, available on Eurosport, Max and discovery+, illuminates these moments for fans to enjoy.

AT-A-GLANCE COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY GUIDE TO 'TEAM EUROSPORT'S' CORE TALENT FOR PARIS 2024 (line-up subject to change):

Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria:

  • Catalina Ponor (Artistic Gymnastics), Xavier Pascual (Handball), Dora Pasztory (Swimming), Gabriela Szabo (Athletics), Yordan Yovchev (Rhythmic Gymnastics), Lucie Safarova (Tennis), Alexandra Dulgheru (Tennis), Katinka Hosszu (Swimming), Tsvetana Pironkova (Tennis), Simona Peycheva (Rhythmic Gymnastics), Lucian Sanmartean (Football), Gabriel Canu (Football), Cosmin Cernat (Host)

DENMARK:

  • Mette Cornelius (Presenter/Reporter), Kian Fonoudi (Presenter/Reporter), Esben Bjerre Hansen (Presenter), Peter Falktoft (Presenter)

FINLAND:

  • Shawn Huff (Basketball), Tiina Sten (Basketball), Anni Jamsa (Basketball), Jani Sievinen (Swimming), Tommy Rundgren (Swimming), Juhani Henriksson (Presenter, Oona Tolppanen (Presenter), Laura Ruhola (Presenter/Reporter), Juhani Henriksson (Presenter), Jarkko Nieminen (Tennis), Anni Mäkitalo (Basketball), Petteri Koponen (Basketball), Teemu Rannikko (Basketball), Antti Ahokas (Golf)

FRANCE:

  • Stéphane Caristan (Athletics), Jacky Durand (Cycling), Arnaud Tournant (Cycling), Maureen Nisima (Fencing), Léonore Perrus (Fencing), Émilie Le Pennec (Gymnastics), Amélie Goudjo (Handball), Nodjialem Myaro (Handball), Frédérique Jossinet (Judo), Frédéric Lecanu (Judo), Alain Bernard (Swimming), Laurent Chambertin (Volleyball), Léa Palermo (Badminton), Lionel Charbonnier (Football), Candice Prevost (Football), Camille Pin (Tennis), Endy Miyem (Basketball), Thierry Anti (Handball), Lucie Decosse (Judo), Christine Arron (Athletics), Matthias Dandois (BMX), Kevin Rolland (Acrobatic skiing), Victoria Vergara (Surfing), Gaëlle Millon (Reporter), Geraldine Weber (Journalist), Lesly Boitrelle (Presenter), Romain Bouchenot (Presenter), Guenaelle Longy (Presenter), Nathalie Péchalat (Ice Dancing), John Dovi (Boxing), Matthieu Péché (Canoeing), Gauthier Klauss (Canoeing), Christophe Legoût (Table Tennis), Ludovic Dubau (Mountain Bike), Yohann Diniz (Athletics)

GERMANY:

  • Navina Omilade (Football), Fabian Hambüchen (Gymnastics), Rico Freimuth (Athletics), Boris Becker (Tennis), Fanny Rinne (Hockey), Pascal "Pommes" Hens (Handball), Lisa Brennauer (Cycling), Jens Voigt (Cycling), Mischa Zverev (Tennis), Patrick Hausding (Diving), Birgit Nössing (Presenter), Thomas Wagner (Presenter), Wolfgang Nadvornik (Presenter), Antonia Wisgickl (Presenter), Steffen Fetzner (Table Tennis), Patrick Femerling (Basketball), Ole Bischof (Judo), Max Hoff (Canoe Sprint), Sabine Spitz (Mountain Bike), Thomas Rupprath (Swimming)

INTERNATIONAL:

  • Yusra Mardini (Swimming)

ITALY:

  • Dorothea Wierer (Biathlon), Rachele Sangiuliano (Volleyball), Giulia Cicchiné (Host/Reporter), Marco Cattaneo (Host/Reporter), Zoran Filicic (Host/Reporter), Fabrizio Monari (Host), Valentina Marchei (Presenter/Reporter), Michele Frangilli (Archery), Hugo Sconochini (Basketball), Andrea Meneghin (Basketball), Roberto Cammarelle (Boxing), Margherita Granbass (Fencing), Marta Pagnini (Rhythmic Gymnastics), Marco Aurelio Fontana (Mountain Bike), Rossano Galtarossa (Rowing), Roberta Vinci (Tennis), Leonardo Binchi (Water polo), Aglaia Pezzato (Swimming), Pino Maddaloni (Judo), Paolo Cozzi (Volleyball), Luca Dotto (Swimming)

NETHERLANDS:

  • Ranomi Kromowidjojo (Swimming/Reporter), Jip van den Bos (Cycling/Reporter), Neal Petersen (Presenter), Nesim el Ahmadi (Creator/Host), Fraasie Mirfin Zeqiri (Creator/Host), Herbert Cool (Presenter)

NORWAY:

  • Marit Malm Frafjord (Handball), Carsten Skjelbreid (Presenter), Susanne Wergeland (Presenter), Carina Olset (Presenter), Jan Ove Kjondal (Presenter/Reporter), Gita Simonsen (Presenter/Reporter)

POLAND:

  • Robert Korzeniowski (Athletics), Agnieszka Radwanska (Tennis), Katarzyna Skowronska (Volleyball), Andrzej Wrona (Volleyball)

SPAIN:

  • Alberto Contador (Cycling), Alex Corretja (Tennis), Lydia Valentín (Weightlifting), Carla Suárez Navarro (Tennis), José Javier Hombrados (Handball), Virginia Torrecilla (Football), Cristian Toro (Canoeing), Piti Hurtado (Basketball), María Peláez (Swimming), María Jesús Rosa Durán (Hockey), Luis Miguel Martín (Athletics), Ángel Rodríguez (Athletics), Dori Ruano (Cycling), Laura Meseguer (Reporter), Patricia Garcia Rodrigue (Rugby), Miguel Ángel Méndez (Reporter), Maria Sanchez (Presenter)

SWEDEN:

  • Carolina Klüft (Athletics), Jessica Almenas (Presenter), Karin Frick (Presenter), Jonas Karlsson (Presenter), Kim Andersson (Handball), Peter Haggstrom (Athletics), Linda Heed (Equestrian), Matilda Boson (Handball), Therese Alshammar (Swimming), Mustafa Mohamed (Athletics), Karin Lundqvist (Beach Volleyball)

UK:

  • Shauna Coxsey (Climbing), Nile Wilson (Gymnastics), Lutalo Muhammad (Taekwondo), James Cracknell (Rowing), Radzi Chinyanganya (Reporter), Orla Chennaoui (Reporter), Reshmin Chowdhury (Reporter), Laura Woods (Reporter), Iwan Thomas MBE (Athletics), Jo Rowsell (Cycling), Stef Reid (Athletics), Ellie Simmonds (Swimming), Laura Robson (Tennis), Carl Frampton (Boxing), Ugo Monye (Rugby Union), Adam Blythe (Cycling), Tom Daley (Diving)

Following its last Olympic Summer Games as Discovery, record-breaking engagement records for Tokyo 2020 were secured, with over 175 million watching its Olympic coverage on TV and digital, 13 times more than PyeongChang 2018. Almost 200 million additional people watched through partner broadcasters with whom Discovery agreed sublicence agreements, including 45 free-to-air national broadcasters throughout Europe.

*Max is available in France, Poland and across the Nordics, Iberia, Central and Eastern Europe. In Belgium and the Netherlands, Warner Bros. Discovery's enhanced streaming service is branded HBO Max. discovery+ is the streaming service in Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

**Medal totals and appearance includes Eurosport's on-air presentation and commentary teams across Europe.

***Additional HDR feeds in selected markets include Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 on Max in France and Monaco. Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 International on Max in Bosnia, Croatian, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia & Serbia plus Eurosport 2 in Slovenia.

****In-play discovery available on discovery+ and Max via connected TVs.

*****Sports covered by in-app timeline markers include: Beach Volleyball, Volleyball, Handball, Tennis, Football, Rugby Sevens, Athletics, Swimming, Track Cycling, Road Cycling, Mountain Biking, Boxing, Basketball, Judo and Artistic Gymnastics.