EBU to create Eurovision Services subsidiary

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced plans to transfer business services to a new subsidiary called Eurovision Services on January 1, 2019.

The new unit will be fully owned by the EBU, be based in Geneva, Switzerland, and will continue to deliver live content to media organisations, sports federations and their audiences across traditional channels or online and on demand services.

EBU director general, Noel Curran, said the move was “proactive and logical” and responds to a rapidly changing media industry with digital transformation at its core.

“Business services is a core field of activity for the EBU alongside member services, and it is vital that it maintains and grows its position as the media industry’s premier producer and distributor of high-quality live news, sport and entertainment content, to better anticipate and meet the needs of all its stakeholders,” said Curran.

“The rationale for giving greater independence to our business arm is to enable it to grow in stature and value and to continue to pioneer innovative media solutions across the value chain – from content production to broadcast services and distribution.”

Eurovision Services CEO, Marco Tinnirello, added: “Our new strategy will see us expand our portfolio of products and services in order to help our clients and EBU Members connect audiences with their content, and bring together our trusted ability to deliver new innovations.”

Eurovision Services is currently known as Eurovision Media Services. The EBU said the new fully owned subsidiary to offer more innovative services – from content production and broadcast services to content distribution.