Telenor Group, one of the leading mobile operators in the world, has been granted extensive pan-European event, association, media and new media rights for the upcoming events in Oslo. As a key part of the sponsorship rights Telenor Group will be entitled to produce and market the Official Eurovision Song Contest Mobile Phone across all its participating markets.

The agreement, which is part of an international commercial and marketing platform developed by the EBU for the Eurovision Song Contest, was negotiated by T.E.A.M. (Television Event and Media Marketing AG) based in Lucerne, Switzerland. T.E.A.M. is the worldwide exclusive marketing agency for the commercial rights of the Eurovision Song Contest since 2004.

“The European Broadcasting Union is very pleased to welcome Telenor Group as Presenting Sponsor of the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. Telenor Group, like the Eurovision Song Contest, is a frontrunner in technological development and one of the leaders in their area. For this reason, we are looking forward to a successful cooperation”, commented Bjørn Erichsen, Director Eurovision TV.

“The Telenor Group looks forward to taking part in one of the largest entertainment events in Europe. With our presence in eight European markets and experience in providing advanced communications services, we are well positioned to contribute to next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, especially as the event will take place at our own Telenor Arena. We now start the process of exploring and developing services connected to the event”, said Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Telenor Group.

The Eurovision Song Contest has a rich tradition and heritage, dating back to 1956. It is one of the few truly pan-European television programmes transmitted live via the Eurovision satellite network, in prime time on free-to-air television and is watched by some 125 million viewers throughout Europe and beyond.