Discovery, Eurosport merge distribution

Discovery Communications is to merge the distribution teams of Discovery Networks and Eurosport in Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA).

There will now be a combined distribution team selling a joint portfolio of 22 channels across CEEMEA.

Oxana Yanushkovskaya, VP of distribution at Discovery Networks CEEMEA, will lead the new team and be responsible for selling a slate of factual entertainment, lifestyle and sports channels including Eurosport, Discovery Channel, TLC and ID Xtra.

Eurosport sales will continue to be managed by Benjamin Deshayes, who moves into the new position of deputy distribution strategy director for CEEMEA at Discovery, reporting to Yanushkovskaya. He has been with Eurosport since 1998.

The reshuffle comes after Discovery took a controlling interest in Eurosport International earlier this year, increasing its stake from 20% to 51% through a deal with France’s TF1 Group.