Eurovision buys Tour broadcast rights for three years

As the build-up continues towards the 95th Tour de France, race organiser Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) has announced a new partnership with the Eurovision TV Network for broadcast rights until the end of 2011. The Eurovision Network is part of the European Broadcasting Union, an organisation designed to facilitate cooperation in international broadcasting through member organisations across the world.

"The agreement sets out conditions for dissemination of races organised by ASO in the territories of Eurovision," read a statement from ASO. These races include the Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Flèche Wallonne, Paris-Nice, Paris-Tours, Critérium International and Tour de l'Avenir.

Deputy director of ASO Yann Le Moenner told AFP: "We welcome this agreement, which shows the support of long-time Tour de France broadcasters and their confidence in ASO."

The contract, whose exact amount was not made public, will also provide rights to the Eurosport network in over 60 countries. Production of TV coverage will remain the responsibility of France Televisions for events held in France and RTBF in Belgium.

The agreement follows the renewal of recent partnerships with the France Televisions and U.S. network Versus for the period 2009 to 2013.