Aditya ChaudhuriTennis Australia has announced a three-year extension of its partnership with Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) India. The broadcast rights partnership will be renewed for the upcoming Australian Open 2023, and Sony will be the exclusive TV and digital rights broadcaster across the Indian Subcontinent in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
SPN, which has been the Official Broadcaster of the Australian Open for the past nine years, will see the first Grand Slam of the year televised on its sports channels and also on its OTT platform, SonyLIV.
Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Cluster, SPN India, commented:
“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, added:
“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.“
The 2023 Australian Open is set to kick-off from January 16, 2023. Sony will also telecast the Adelaide International as part of the deal, which will be held just before the Australian Open.
