Eurosport sweeps boards at inaugural TV Sports Awards

Eurosport were the big winners at the inaugural TV Sports Awards ceremony which took place October 12 at the Yacht Club de Monaco. The pan-European TV channel was awarded the title of Best Sports Broadcaster, while CEO Peter Hutton was named Media Executive of the Year and parent company Discovery secured the award for Best TV Rights Deal for its agreement with the IOC for pan-European rights to the Olympic Games from 2022.

The new awards event, which was hosted by Guido Bagatta and Sky Sport News presenter Kate Abdo, featured an array of sporting legends, including former FIFA World Player of the Year Luís Figo and Italian World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro. The ceremony coincides with the annual SPORTEL Monaco event and winners were decided by the votes of SPORTEL attendees.

Other victors on the night included digital consultants Omnigon, who picked up the award for Best Digital Media Project for their development of the official mobile app for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and the Amaury Sport Organisation, who were recognised with the Best Live Event Coverage prize for their TV production of the Tour de France.

Co-organised by SPORTEL and Play for Change, the inaugural ceremony was held in support of Play for Change, a global sports charity dedicated to the provision of life changing opportunities for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

A special Play for Change award was also presented to football star Rio Ferdinand to recognise his contribution in creating the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, an initiative that engages and supports young people in disadvantaged communities through positive activities, mentoring, training and development of skills for employment and business.

Marie Le Page, Director for Play for Change, said: “We are thrilled to announce such a host of worthy winners for the inaugural TV Sports Awards. Play for Change uses sport and education as a driver of social change and the TV Sports Awards has been a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of our work to an influential audience. The evening celebrated the best of the sport media industry but also reflected on the power of sport in helping to change the lives of disadvantaged communities and children.

The full list of TV Sports Award 2015 winners is as follows:

Best Sports Broadcaster

• Eurosport (Discovery)

Best Live Event Coverage

• Amaury Sport Organisation for the Tour de France

Best Digital Media Project

• Omnigon Rugby World Cup App

Best TV Rights Deal

• Discovery and Eurosport agreement for European rights of the Olympic Games

Media Executive of the Year

• Peter Hutton, CEO, Eurosport

Play for Change Award

• Rio Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand Foundation