WATCH VIDEO. Euronews has inaugurated its new headquarters in the French city of Lyon, at the same time launching its Euronews Next digital initiative.
The iconic new building, built in the Confluence district, is a bright green cube with a perforated skin with two large round openings on the riverside side, that serve as terraces on different levels.
During the opening ceremony, Michael Peters, the channel’s CEO, announced the channel’s new tagline, Euronews – All views, identifying the channel’s mission to be an impartial and neutral source of news.
At the same time, he introduced the Euronews Next digital initiative to bring the news content from the editorial floors to all platforms in an effort to also reach younger viewers.
Euronews has received a new financial injection with the participation of Media Globe Networks, the company owned by the Egyptian Sawaris Family and managed by Naguib Sawaris. They have become the majority shareholder in Euronews, with a 53% stake in the company.
The remaining 47% of shares in Euronews stays with its traditional shareholders, namely 21 public TV channels and three local authorities.
However, Peters stressed that – thanks to the appointment of an editorial committee – the independence of the editorial content is guaranteed. “Even when he has a majority share,” Peters said, “this was different when we had ITN as a minority investment with 49% of the shares, but with complete editorial control.
Naguib Sawaris. Also pointed out that Euronews will remain impartial, neutral and transparent, “If you think you are smart and can influence your viewers, you are crazy. I have seen this with a channel in my region , which I will not name, and they lost their audience”
Naguib is convinced that with a proper execution of a new business plan, Euronews can become a self-sustaining venture, “I have started many ventures and most of them have been a success,” he said.