Tennis Australia has extended and expanded its rights partnership with Japanese pay-television broadcaster Wowow.
The five-year deal, which marks the body’s largest broadcast agreement in Japan, becomes effective in January and runs until 2021.
The deal grants Wowow continued rights to extensive coverage of the Australian Open grand slam. Under an expanded agreement, Wowow will also broadcast matches from the Australian Open Series, which takes place in the weeks leading up to the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Series tournaments covered by the deal include the Hopman Cup in Perth, the Brisbane International, Apia International Sydney and the World Tennis Challenge in Adelaide. The Australian Open junior and wheelchair championships, as well as a legends event, will also be included in the deal.
Wowow will deliver more than 200 hours of live coverage per year on its television channels under the new agreement.
The 2017 Australian Open takes place in Melbourne from January 16-29.