• Broadcaster extends long-term relationship with new home at the Broadcast Media Centre
• Studio, playout, connectivity and office space
• Contract worth over £6m

IBC, Amsterdam (Stand 1.259): Arqiva has today announced it has extended its long-term relationship with British Eurosport in a five-year deal worth over £6 million.  For the past five years British Eurosport has occupied Arqiva's original studio facility in Langley; the new contract will see the broadcaster move into a much larger, custom-built space at Arqiva's Broadcast Media Centre at Feltham.

The Centre will be home to all aspects of British Eurosport's operations.  All production and administration functions will be based there, alongside a special virtual-reality studio.  British Eurosport will take advantage of the edit suites, voiceover booths and office space with full voice and data connectivity.  Feeds from all over the world come in to the centre to be integrated into the programme output along with studio production.  Arqiva will also be providing playout to Sky at Osterley and to the SDN digital terrestrial multiplex for
Top Up TV.

Pierre-Jean Sebert, managing director of British Eurosport, said: "There has been a long-standing relationship between NTL Broadcast/Arqiva and British Eurosport, based on an excellent level of trust and professional respect, and therefore it was only natural that we worked together on this project.  This deal will provide the channel with first-class facilities at the Broadcast Media Centre in Feltham and will enable us to continue to produce sports programming of the highest standard in a greatly improved and more creative environment for many years to come."

Simon Thrush, Commercial Director, Broadcast Services in Arqiva's satellite solutions division, added: "We're delighted to be able to extend our relationship with British Eurosport for another five years.  We've worked hard to cater for the technical and facility needs of the British Eurosport team, and we'll be working equally hard to ensure a swift and hassle-free transition to new premises."