Skweek has reached an agreement with the Ligue Nationale de Basket to broadcast Betclic Elite fixtures until 2030.
The Monegasque broadcaster is only in its infancy, having been created just last summer in order to satisfy the growing demand to watch European basketball.
The Fedcom Media business, whose owner Aleksej Fedoricsev is also the owner of AS Monaco Basketball, notably broadcasted the Roca Team’s incredible run to the Euroleague’s Final Four last season.
Skweek is now taking a natural next step in its growth by securing the broadcasting rights of the French division, the Betclic Elite, for the next seven seasons.
L’Équipe, a long-time broadcaster of French basketball, will show 25 regular season matches, 10 play-off matches – including the finals – as well as three Leaders Cup games and the All-Star Game. Skweek’s coverage will be more extensive, showing the regular season, the play-offs, the Leaders Cup in full and the All-Star game.
Responding to unprecedented demand
The production of the matches themselves will be handled by 21 Production, an affiliate of the L’Équipe group.
“For Skweek, this agreement marks an important step in a project that began in October 2022 with the broadcasting of the Euroleague and the EuroCup, which particularly highlighted the journeys of French teams. From next season, our platform will become the unmissable destination for fans,” said Skweek CEO Oleg Petrov.
Betclic Elite Final at the Salle Gaston Médecin by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
For the Monegasque broadcaster and the Ligue Nationale de Basket (LNB), it is hoped that this long-term agreement will be a mutually beneficial venture, meeting the current broadcasting needs whilst also facilitating growth in the game.
“This historic agreement until 20230 shows the unprecedented attractiveness of the Betclic Elite… It will allow the clubs to continue their development and allow professional basketball to shine more through its increased exposure,” said LNB president Philippe Ausseur.
Monaco Life brings you the latest government news and information, from increased grants for the purchase of eco-friendly vehicles to Monaco’s backing of a project to support the next generation of “global leaders capable of intervening in the world’s major conflict contexts to promote the development of peaceful social and political relations”.
Improved grants and schemes for buying electric vehicles
Did you know that the Monegasque government has been financially backing the purchase of “ecological” vehicles since 1994? Nearly 30 years later, 15% of the vehicles registered in Monaco are considered eco-friendly and almost half of those are electric.
As of late June, the government has stepped up the package of grants available. Individuals in the Principality can now get up to €10,000 in assistance when buying an electric or hybrid vehicle that costs less than €60,000. Businesses can also receive as much as 30% cashback on similar vehicles, although no price cap has been set for the overall cost of a vehicle. Even two-wheelers get a look in: those buying a new electric motorbike or scooter can get up to 40% off the price of the vehicle, capped at €4,500, while prospective e-bike owners will be offered a €400 flat rate incentive to make a purchase as long as the bike has been manufactured in the EU and delivered to an address in Monaco.
Leaders for Peace
On 27th June, Monaco’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-Operation, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, signed the Principality on to the Rondine association’s “Leaders for Peace” initiative. The campaign champions higher education for the next generation of “global leaders capable of intervening in the world’s major conflict contexts to promote the development of peaceful social and political relations”.
The concept was formally launched in 2018, but stems from the earlier “Rondine Cittadella della Pace” programme that was created in 1998 to finance the studies of young people born in countries in the amidst of or having previously suffered from armed conflicts. The “Leaders for Peace” campaign is asking each of the 193 UN member states to devote a “symbolic sum from its defense budget to the training of young global peace leaders”.
Monaco’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-Operation, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, with members of the Rondine association and its “Leaders for Peace” campaign. Photo credit: Monaco Communications Department
Monaco, France and Italy meet to discuss the Pelagos Charter
The Pelagos Agreement is a cross-border initiative between Monaco, France and Italy that acts in favour of protections for marine mammals living in the Pelagos Sanctuary, an area of 87,500km2 off the coast of the three nations.
On 22nd June, more than 50 French and Italian municipalities, as well as representatives from Monaco, met in Sassari, northwestern Sardinia, to discuss its current charter and objectives. The results from studies and research projects undertaken in recent years were also presented, and individual towns and cities in the region were encouraged to come forwards with their own ideas for improving local conservation actions.
The Pelagos parties will meet again several times before the end of the year, when it is expected that a 2.0 version of the Pelagos Charter Agreement will be unveiled.
“Monaco in Figures”
Monaco’s statistically agency IMSEE recently published the 2023 edition of “Monaco in Figures”, an annual complication of statistics related to the Principality. The book, which is free to download or can be bought for €15 in a printed format from the agency’s headquarters at 9 Rue du Gabian, presents a vast range of data on everything from the climate and weather to tourism, real estate, employment and the population.
The “Key Figures” report can be downloaded in English here.
Staying safe in the sun
Soaring temperatures in the Principality towards the end of June led the government to issue a public awareness message via its online platform on personal safety during periods of intense heat. The communiqué covered everything from tips on SPF factors and UV ratings to basic but essential points on looking after one’s health, such as adequate hydration and avoiding strenuous activities during the hotter hours of the day.
