Euro Media Group Acquires Netco Sports

The Leading Provider of Sport Second Screen Solutions to Accelerate its Digital Strategy

Euro Media Group (EMG), Europe's leading provider of broadcast facilities and services today announced the acquisition of Netco Sports, the leading provider of sport second screen solutions.

Netco Sports is a pioneer in innovation and creation of state-of-the-art solutions for the second screen in the world of sports, headquartered in France and with fast growing international presence including, Australia, Canada, Germany, Qatar, Singapore, Switzerland, US and the UK.

Created in 2009, the company has rapidly become a trusted partner for large-scale sport events and broadcasting players, creating landmark applications for mobiles and tablets for blue-chip sports organisations including FIFA, UEFA, French Football League, Rugby League, Premier League football clubs around the world, Dakar Rally, Vendée Globe, Canal+, Eurosport, Bein Sport and Fox Sport amongst many others.

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Netco Sports will operate as a fully integrated service within EMG Content Services, which will add second screen expertise to its existing video processing and management solutions, Video On Demand (VOD) and Over The Top (OTT) services. The addition clearly enables EMG to rise up the audiovisual value chain and accelerates the move towards disintermediation of content delivery.

EMG Content Services will be headed by Jean-Sébastien Cruz, founder and CEO of Netco Sports, who will report directly to Thierry Drilhon, Chairman and CEO of EMG.

Thierry Drilhon, Chairman and CEO of Euro Media Group, said, "Second screen is a revolution in the broadcasting ecosystem. Netco is innovative and creates disruptive technologies. This is a tremendous opportunity to combine talents and expertise, to extend and reinforce our group offer to our customers and accelerate our offensive digital strategy. I'm very enthusiastic to welcome Jean-Sébastien Cruz and his entire team to work in further consolidating our position with major sporting corporations."

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Jean-Sébastien Cruz, Founder & CEO of Netco Sports, said, "it's a pleasure to join EMG and approach the market together with a 360° offering, we are looking forward to merging our strong expertise to address our clients needs. EMG and Netco Sports will join forces to provide a winning and unique combination of broadcast and digital innovations in the world of Sport".

Through this transaction EMG fully acquires Netco Sports. EY (Gratien de Pontville, Stéphane Vignals) is acting as financial adviser to EMG, while Arago (Eric Bernard) is acting as its legal adviser with regard to the transaction. Bryan Garnier & Co (Virginie Lazès, Pierre Ruaud) is acting as financial adviser to Netco Sports.

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About Netco Sports:
Netco Sports creates unique mobile solutions in the world of Sports and Media: 2nd screen, Game Connect, Fotofan and Stadium Connect. Netco Sports has its headquarter located in Paris, offices in Montreal, Sydney and Switzerland works with more than 100 clients in the world: Broadcasters: (Canal+, BeIN SPORTS, TVA Sports Canada, Fox Sports Australia, Eurosport, Direct TV), Worldwide events (Dakar 2015, Vendée Globe, AFC Asian Cup 2015, 2015 AFCON, 24H Le Mans, Australian Open Tennis), Leagues and Federations (FIFA, UEFA, French Football Federation, FIA, FIA World Endurance Championship, French Football League), Stadiums and Arenas (Stade de France, Hippodrome de Vincennes, Roland Garros...), Clubs (Paris Saint Germain, AS Monaco...).

About EMG:
Euro Media Group (EMG) is Europe's leading provider of broadcast facilities and services, active in 7 countries: France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, Switzerland and Italy.
The Group combines unique know-how and world-renowned expertise to master the entire value chain from image creation to distribution. EMG places innovation at the heart of its strategy, allowing the group to offer its customers unrivalled services to enrich and manage high value-added content and to provide viewers and internet users an ever richer and more exciting experience.
New-media driven, EMG is a valued partner for major international events, including sport (Tour de France, Football World Cup and Formula One...) live shows (Eurovison, Royal Weddings, Concerts...) and entertainment (The Voice, Masterchef, the X-Factor...)
EMG owns the largest range of studios and collection of studios as well as the greatest fleet of mobile facilities in Europe.

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