By late 1984, WHSmith Television Group had purchased a 15% stake in the company,[3] RCA also acquired a 10% share in the business, with other investors including Ladbrokes and the pension fund of the National Coal Board.

Coverage of English football began in the same year, screening the Area and National finals from the Freight Rover Trophy,[15] a competition for lower division clubs.

The channel signed a deal with Thames Television, who were the Football League's agent for international distribution, to transmit 34 recorded matches via cable and satellite.

[21] By then, Screensport had increased its sports content, allowing the channel to broadcast for 18.5 hours each day within the schedule included ice hockey, skiing, golf, tennis, and yachting.

[dubious – discuss] After provisions were made for non-member access to the programming, the Commission granted the EBU in a five-year conditional exemption from the requirements of the competition rules.

[3] It ended with a credit screen listing all the network's staff (akin to its sister channel Lifestyle's close on 24 January of that year), before cutting to Eurosport's feed surrounded by a notice telling viewers to watch any of its frequencies.