Global Cycling Network adds French-language channel

Digital sports media company Play Sports Group has launched a French-language channel for its Global Cycling Network.

The channel, which is called GCN en Français, will offer localised, tailored road cycling content for the French-speaking market, collaborating with the Discovery-owned Play Sports Group’s other channels and Eurosport, the Discovery-owned international sports broadcaster.

The channel is fronted by retired professional cyclists Loïc Chetout and Florian Chabbal.

Simon Wear, founder and chief executive of Play Sports Group, said: “For many years we have had a loyal following for GCN in France, I am delighted that we are now able to serve this growing community properly with a whole channel in French language, a bespoke channel, dedicated to the needs of the French speaking cycling community.”

GCN, which launched in 2013 as an English-language service, added Spanish and Italian language channels in 2018, a Japanese version in 2019 and a German version earlier this year.

Last year, Discovery acquired a majority stake in Play Sports Group, raising its share from 20 per cent to a 71-per-cent controlling stake.

Play Sports Group’s channels currently have 20 million monthly viewers.