Euronews
On the first day of 1993, a new television channel began its transmission from Écully, near Lyon. Ten European public broadcasters had joined forces to create this network. They called it SOCEMIE and included members like France Télévisions, RAI, and RTVE. The goal was to offer a European perspective on world news after CNN dominated the market during the Persian Gulf War. The initial broadcast used sound multiplex technology to deliver language services. No single presenter appeared on screen at that moment. Instead, voiceovers narrated the footage while text scrolled across the bottom of the display.
In February 2015, Media Globe Networks acquired a controlling stake in Euronews for £5.1 million. This Egyptian telecom magnate Naguib Sawiris took over 53% of the shares. Questions arose immediately about editorial independence following the sale. By November 2020, French newspaper Libération reported that Dubai tourism board segments were appearing without clear sponsorship labels. Staff members expressed discontent with these changes. In December 2021, Alpac Capital purchased an 88% stake from Sawiris. This deal involved funds linked to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán through Mário David. The acquisition aimed to counter perceived left-wing bias in the network's coverage. By July 2022, Alpac held 97.6% of the company.
On the 22nd of May 2018, Euronews launched Good Morning Europe, a five-hour morning show anchored by Tesa Arcilla and later Belle Donati. The channel introduced presenter-led formats alongside traditional rolling news blocks. Raw Politics debuted on the 3rd of September 2018 as a politics-focused program hosted from Brussels. These new shows faced cancellation within two years due to low viewership. By late 2019, several programs including Prime Edition had been dropped. The network began facing a liquidity crisis with its value falling to €3.7 million from €67 million in 2015. On the 2nd of March 2023, weekday bulletins reverted to voiceover formats, phasing out all in-vision presenting. Some cancelled shows remained listed in program guides despite their discontinuation.
In October 2015, Euronews moved to a new headquarters complex in Lyon covering 10,000 square meters. This building was designed by Jakob + MacFarlane. However, the decision to relocate principal operations came much earlier. On the 2nd of March 2023, the network announced plans to move its editorial headquarters to Brussels. This shift created one hundred new positions there while eliminating 198 jobs in Lyon. Only 142 roles would remain based in the French city. The union warned that the move would weaken pluralism of information. By July 2023, only four shareholders appeared on the company's about page. The previous headquarters complex in Lyon was sold off as part of this restructuring effort.
Since 2018, Euronews has licensed its name to various broadcasters across southern and eastern Europe. The first franchise launched in 2019 with RTV In in Albania. Euronews Albania covers Western Balkans countries including Montenegro and Kosovo. A Bulgarian channel began broadcasting on the 5th of May 2022 through TV Europa. Georgia received its own service starting the 31st of August 2020 via Silknet. Romania partnered with Politehnica University of Bucharest for a channel launching the 25th of May 2022. Serbia joined the model in June 2021 with HD-WIN media group. These localized channels broadcast regional news in local languages rather than relying solely on voiceovers from the main hub.
In April 2021, Belarus ceased broadcasting Euronews within its territory. Authorities claimed violations occurred because advertisements ran in English instead of Russian or Belarusian. Frequencies were taken over by Channel One Russia's Pobeda channel. By late March 2022, Roskomnadzor restricted access to Euronews online services following the invasion of Ukraine. The signal was forcibly replaced by Russia-24 before being handed to Vladimir Solovyov. Ukrainian officials accused the network of promoting pro-Kremlin narratives during the conflict. An online report depicting children defusing landmines in Crimea drew criticism from Mykola Tochytskyi and Mariana Betsa. They argued that reporting should be based strictly on facts rather than political agendas.
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Common questions
When did Euronews begin its transmission from Écully?
Euronews began its transmission on the first day of 1993 from Écully, near Lyon. Ten European public broadcasters joined forces to create this network under the name SOCEMIE.
Who acquired a controlling stake in Euronews in February 2015?
Media Globe Networks acquired a controlling stake in Euronews for £5.1 million in February 2015. Egyptian telecom magnate Naguib Sawiris took over 53% of the shares at that time.
What happened to Euronews presenter-led formats by March 2023?
On the 2nd of March 2023, weekday bulletins reverted to voiceover formats and phased out all in-vision presenting. This decision followed the cancellation of shows like Good Morning Europe and Raw Politics due to low viewership.
Where is Euronews moving its editorial headquarters as of 2023?
The network announced plans to move its editorial headquarters to Brussels on the 2nd of March 2023. This shift created one hundred new positions there while eliminating 198 jobs in Lyon.
Which countries received Euronews franchise channels between 2019 and 2022?
Euronews launched franchises in Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, and Serbia between 2019 and 2022. These localized channels began broadcasting regional news in local languages rather than relying solely on voiceovers from the main hub.