Tennis Australia and China Media Group (CMG) have announced an extension of their long-term broadcast partnership in a multi-year deal that will see CMG’s CCTV Sports platforms continue to broadcast the Australian Open in China on free to air television until 2026.
A long-term broadcast partner of the AO, the extension incorporates new opportunities for CMG’s digital platforms, including the streaming of selected daily matches, in addition to its television coverage.
“We are delighted to extend our agreement with China Media Group and its CCTV Sports platforms, to broadcast the Australian Open to our large fan base in China, reaching over 400 million households,” Tennis Australia Chief Commercial Officer Cedric Cornelis said.
“We have been partners for over 20 years and China consistently provides one of the highest viewerships of the AO around the world. Australian Open 2023 was an historic year for Chinese players, with six women and three men competing in the main draw, and teenager Shang Juncheng becoming the first Chinese man to win a singles match at the AO in the Open Era. With new opportunities to watch more matches than ever before on CCTV Sports digital platforms, fans are set for a treat in China for 2024 and beyond,” Director of CMG Sports and Children’s Programming Center Mr. XU Qiang said.
“It is our great pleasure to extend our media rights deal with Tennis Australia to the year 2026. Australian Open is the world’s premier tennis tournament and the only Grand Slam tournament held in the southern hemisphere, and it is very popular among the Chinese audience.
“Chinese tennis players have always performed excellently in this tournament. As a long-term partner of Tennis Australia, we believe that in the new cycle, the coverage across CMG’s multiple platforms will further boost the popularity and influence of the Australian Open in China and elevate the cooperation between the two sides to a new level.”
The agreement also includes coverage of the AO Asia-Pacific Wildcard Play-off, set to return to China in December 2024 ahead of Australian Open 2025.