Pan-European broadcaster Eurosport renewed two major tennis rights deals, for the French Open for three years, from 2012 to 2014, and the US Open for six years, from 2012 to 2017.
The broadcaster acquired the rights for the French Open from the MP & Silva agency and the rights for the US Open from the IMG Media agency.
The Eurosport and Eurosport 2 channels will broadcast action from the two tournaments, and the rights also include coverage on the internet and mobile via the Eurosport Player internet subscription video platform. Eurosport Player will also offer access to Eurosport’s live multi-court service.
The tournaments are two of tennis’s four annual grand slams, the most prestigious competitions on the calendar. The other two grand slams are the Wimbledon championships, and the Australian Open.
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with these two premium tennis properties, with whom we have built strong relationships over the years,” said Geraldine Filiol, deputy managing director in charge of acquisitions for the Eurosport Group. “Tennis grand slams are a perfect fit for our group’s multi-screen strategy.”
Last year, Eurosport signed a new five-year rights deal for the Australian Open, from 2012 to 2016. The first Australian Open covered by the new agreement concluded on Sunday.
Michel Grach, director of media and sponsorship at the French Tennis Federation said: “The FFT has enjoyed a privileged partnership with Eurosport for over 20 years, and we are pleased to renew this healthy collaboration for a further three years. The world’s premier clay event will be available to more fans throughout Europe than ever before, in line with our ambitious distribution strategy to enhance and increase multi-screen and multi-lingual coverage of Roland Garros.”
Gordon Smith, executive director and chief operating officer at the US Tennis Association, organiser of the US Open, said: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Eurosport, and as a leader in sports production and sports distribution, they are the right partner for the US Open. With their market penetration, we will be able to bring the US Open to more fans than ever before.”
Eurosport will show more than 1,200 hours of live tennis coverage this year, including the Women’s Tennis Association tour season and selected Association of Tennis Professionals men’s tour events to its three Grand Slams.