Tennis Australia and African broadcaster SuperSport have announced the extension and expansion of their long-term broadcast relationship.
The new deal will see the partnership, which began back in 2006, extend past the 20 year mark, running until 2026.
The agreement includes linear and digital rights to the Australian Open and lead-in tournaments with more than 650 hours of multi-platform coverage on a minimum of two simultaneous linear TV feeds – SuperSport’s top channel SuperSport Grandstand and SuperSport Tennis; unprecedented online coverage via SuperSport’s mobile and internet services with live and on-demand broadcast; and extensive additional online reporting of news, results and videos.
Alongside their all-encompassing tennis coverage, SuperSport will collaborate for the first time with Tennis Australia to showcase the new AO originals programs – exclusive lifestyle and entertainment programming content - supported by exclusive off court AO features across their DsTV channels, Showmax platform and social media accounts
SuperSport will expand their live and on demand coverage into 54 countries in Africa, including South Africa.
“We are delighted to extend our agreement with SuperSport and are excited to work with them to widen our fan base and reach new audiences across Africa,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.
“Through innovation. multi-platform exposure and SuperSport’s commitment to their most comprehensive coverage ever of the AO and lead-in events, sports fans will be able to follow the fun and excitement of the action as never before this January.”
"Our association with the Australian Open is one of the longest in our history, and one that SuperSport is particularly proud of,” said SuperSport chief executive Marc Jury. “The event is never less than world class and offers consistent excellence, sporting theatre and drama. It is a wonderful reflection of our own values and ensures that we parade the very best of tennis, and indeed sport, across the continent, where the appetite for big-time tennis is significant."