Advanced Television

Eurosport’s Hutton joining Facebook

January 22, 2018

Facebook has appointed Eurosport CEO Peter Hutton to “head up the social network’s efforts to broker worldwide deals for live-streaming sports,” according to a Variety report.

At Facebook’s SIlicon Valley base, Hutton will focus on securing global sports rights and report to Facebook Head of Global Sports Partnerships Dan Reed, who was previously with the NBA.

Neither Facebook or Eurosport has yet officially commented on the appointment.

Facebook, along with other online giants such as Amazon and Netflix, has long been rumoured to join the bidding for Premier League rights when the next auction for packages kicks off next month. Sports rights are increasingly seen as a golden egg for online video players seeking to boost subscriber numbers.

Hutton is set to join Facebook following the 2018 Winter Olympic Games next month which suggests he will not be involved in the auction process.

Prior to joining Eurosport in 2015, Hutton worked in the sports industry for over 30 years in a variety of roles all over the world. Most recently, he was CEO at the MP and Silva sports rights agency, and previously he was part of Fox International Channels, driving the launch of their sports business outside the Americas, including the acquisition of Setanta Sports in Africa and ESPN/Star Sports in Asia. He became CEO of ESPN/Star Sports based out of Singapore and oversaw its change into Fox Sports in Asia and Star Sports in India.

 

Categories: Articles, People, Social Media