Equidia

Equidia is a French thematic television channel dedicated to horse racing. It was initially created as France Courses in 1996 by the Pari mutuel urbain (PMU) and AB Groupe, and was relaunched under the name Equidia by PMU on 20 September 1999. The channel broadcasts on cable, satellite, ADSL and 4G mobile telephony, and is available in the basic packages of French operators, reaching 23 million households in metropolitan France as early as 2002. It is also distributed in overseas territories, Belgium, Switzerland and Monaco. Equidia offers French and international horse races live, along with various programmes devoted to the equestrian world. With 10 hours of live racing broadcast each day, it presents itself as the leading sports broadcaster in Europe. On 8 January 2018, Equidia launched Equidia Racing, a continuous service retransmitting all race meetings. From September 2011 to 31 December 2017, Equidia Life offered programmes dedicated to equestrian sport and practice. Equidia is owned by the racing companies Société d'encouragement à l'élevage du cheval français (SECF), France Galop and PMU. The channel's programming is aimed at all actors in the horse industry. Air time is divided between horse race broadcasts, TV news, reports, portraits, magazines on various sports, equestrian shows and documentaries. By replacing France Courses, which dealt exclusively with horse racing, Equidia differentiated itself through a dual vocation: serving bettors and satisfying the enthusiasm of all those interested in the horse world. In 2019, Equidia expanded its multichannel offering with an application and Equidia Racing channels allowing viewers to follow all race meetings without advertising.

Equidia was initially created as France Courses, the first French horse racing channel, launched on 9 September 1996 by the Pari mutuel urbain (PMU) in association with AB Groupe on the AB Sat satellite package. However, it attracted few viewers, and AB Groupe removed the channel from its AB Sat package on 25 April 1998, replacing it with the music channel 'Zik. PMU then took over France Courses and renamed it Equidia. Equidia was launched under its new name by PMU on 20 September 1999. It became the first French and European thematic channel dedicated to the horse world. Its programming was aimed at all actors in the sector, with air time divided between horse race broadcasts, TV news, reports, portraits, magazines on various sports, equestrian shows and documentaries. By replacing France Courses, which dealt exclusively with horse racing, Equidia differentiated itself through a dual vocation: serving bettors and satisfying the enthusiasm of all those interested in the horse world. Until 2003, the head of the channel was Claude Esclatine, under the responsibility of Bertrand Bélinguier (PMU), Dominique de Bellaigue (Cheval Français) and Jean-Luc Lagardère (France Galop). In 2005, Equidia applied for a licence to broadcast on free DTT following a call for tenders, but was not selected. In June 2011, PMU announced the launch of two new channels alongside Equidia: Equidia Life, dedicated to the horse itself, and Equidia Live, defined as "the live channel of the horse", devoted to information and horse racing. This allowed bettors to benefit from tips and predictions from specialists, immerse themselves in the equestrian world and follow horse races live for free via the online betting site or from PMU points of sale. From 23 August to 7 September 2014, the sporting events of the 2014 World Equestrian Games were broadcast live and in full, 24 hours a day, on Equidia Life, allowing Equidia Live to devote itself to its usual horse racing programmes. On 22 September 2015, Equidia Live switched to high definition. On 5 September 2017, the disappearance of Equidia Life was announced for 31 December 2017 on all operators. Equidia Live took back the name Equidia. In September 2017, Florent Gautreau left RMC Sport to become editorial director of Equidia. Arnaud de Courcelles (L'Équipe TV) joined Equidia in January 2019 as channel director, developing a bettor-oriented approach. On 8 January 2018, Equidia Live became Equidia again with a new logo, new set and new look. In 2019, Equidia developed its multichannel offering with an application and Equidia Racing channels allowing viewers to follow all race meetings without advertising. Equidia is a société par actions simplifiée with capital of 37,000 euros, owned by France Galop, LeTrot (SECF) and PMU. The presidency rotates between the elected presidents of France Galop and Le Trot.

• France Courses launched by PMU and AB Groupe on AB Sat.

• AB Groupe removes France Courses from AB Sat; PMU takes over and renames it Equidia.

• Equidia launched under its new name by PMU.

• Available in basic packages of French operators, reaching 23 million households in metropolitan France.

• Claude Esclatine ends role as channel head.

• Equidia applies for free DTT licence but is not selected.

• PMU announces launch of Equidia Life and Equidia Live.

• World Equestrian Games 2014 broadcast live on Equidia Life.

• Equidia Live switches to high definition.

• Announcement of Equidia Life closure for 31 December 2017; Equidia Live to be renamed Equidia.

• Florent Gautreau becomes editorial director of Equidia.

• Equidia Live becomes Equidia again with new logo, set and look; Equidia Racing launched.

• Arnaud de Courcelles joins Equidia as channel director.

• Equidia expands with an application and Equidia Racing channels.

The first French and European thematic channel dedicated to the horse world, serving both bettors and equestrian enthusiasts.

• Equidia channel

  Main thematic channel dedicated to horse racing.

• Equidia Racing

  Continuous service retransmitting all race meetings, launched 8 January 2018.

• Equidia Life

  Channel dedicated to the horse itself, active September 2011 to 31 December 2017.

• Equidia Live

  Live channel of the horse, later renamed Equidia.

• Equidia.fr

  Information and betting tips website.

• Equidia mobile application

  Application for following races and information.

• Slow TV

1. 1Equidia official websiteequidia.fr
2. 2Equidia - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Equidia - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org