THE BOOK OF LISTS: The 10 Most-watched pan-European TV channels

1. Eurosport Still the undisputed king of all the pan-European TV

networks, Eurosport is now 100 per cent owned by TF1 after the French

network bought out the Canal+ network. At present Eurosport is gearing

up for a busy 2002 with events such as the Winter Olympics from Salt

Lake City, the World Cup and the European Athletics Championships.

2. CNN

Eighteen months after Kevin Razvi deserted the MindShare ship to join

the boisterous Lawson Muncaster at CNN, AOL Time Warner's flagship news

network is slightly losing share among the top end of the market,

according to EMS and Europe 2001 data. The channel introduced new

programming in 2001, including the twice-daily Business

International.

3.MTV Europe

MTV hit 20 this year (how old does that make you feel?). It faces new

challenges in the UK from the likes of digital stations such as Emap's

QTV and Play UK, as well as from more familiar rivals such as Viva in

Germany. Still, MTV claims to have more than doubled its European

distribution over the past four years.

4. Discovery

Discovery has revamped the Mastermind quiz show in the UK, transforming

it into an interactive extravaganza fronted with a viewers' final.

Discovery also plans to roll this out into mainland Europe in 2002. The

network's production facility teamed up with the BBC in 2001 to deliver

two highly acclaimed series: The Blue Planet and Walking With

Beasts.

5. National Geographic

National Geographic covers natural history, science, wildlife, adventure

and peoples of the world. EMS 2001 data estimates more than five million

upscale Western Europeans watch National Geographic every month. Its

expansion continued in 2001, with new channels in Portugal, Spain,

Russia, Greece and France.

6. CNBC Europe

Dow Jones and NBC's joint offering boasts increased live feeds from

Europe's trading floors. This year, it teamed up with Class Editori in

Italy to establish a presence there. It also appointed Visa

International's vice-president of brand marketing, Matthias Hanssen, to

the new role of marketing director.

7. BBC World

The BBC's global news network shot to fame when the BBC veteran John

Simpson successfully smuggled himself into Afghanistan dressed up as a

local woman. It also launched a Spanish language feed and Business At

Breakfast Time. It also intends to launch a European current affairs

programme in the new year.

8. Bloomberg

The financial channel Bloomberg had a good year in 2001 and increased

its audience share more than any other pan-EuropeanTV network, according

to EMS data. The channel also enjoyed huge growth in Germany and

broadened out its offering and its distribution.

9. Euronews

The big news from this pan-European, ITN-owned news channel was that it

went live across the UK and Ireland this week. The Lyons-based network

is now available to more than five million subscribers on the Sky

Digital platform. It also launched a Russian language stream.

10. Sky News

Sky News increased its distribution in 2001 and faces intense

competition from CNN, CNBC, BBC World and Euronews. However, with its

heritage from such a high profile in the UK, it has more of a friendly,

"home from home" image than many of the other news networks.