Tennis Australia has announced a broadcast rights extension with the media broadcasting baron, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) for the Australian Open from 2023.
In this development, SPN will retain the exclusive TV and digital rights for the elite global competition throughout the Indian subcontinent – Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Apart from Sony’s sports channels, the Grand Slam can also be enjoyed through the network’s OTT platform, SonyLIV.
SPNI has been providing exclusive coverage of the competition in India for the past nine years and with this extension, the media house commences 2023 with the broadcast of the Australian Open and Adelaide International.
In this tournament, the likes of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, and Carlos Alcaraz will be seen in action.
Commenting on the association, Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Cluster, Sony Pictures Networks India, said, “The Australian Open has consistently been the most watched tennis Grand Slam in India over the past few years. During 2022, close to 23 million viewers watched the live coverage of the event on Sony Sports Network. We hope to repeat this success as well as continue to build the steadily growing tennis fanbase in India. With this broadcast rights renewal, we will become the home for major Grand Slams in India including Roland Garros and the US Open.”
Craig Tiley, CEO, Tennis Australia, said, “Sony Pictures Networks India has been the home of the Australian Open in India for the past nine years and this renewal will solidify its position. India has long been a key market for us and over the years the tournament has seen steady growth in viewership there. Sony Sports Network has played a huge role in driving this growth and we hope to build on this success in the coming years.”
Prior to this development, Sony extended its media rights agreement with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the Indian subcontinent until 2028. Furthermore, Sony Pictures Networks also has rights to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Bundesliga, UEFA, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Lanka Premier League (LPL) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).