Sony India renews partnership with the Australian Open

Tennis Australia announced that Sony Pictures Networks India will extend its exclusive broadcast rights partnership for the Australian Open from 2023.

With this renewal, the broadcaster will hold exclusive TV and digital rights for the global sporting event across the Indian subcontinent – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The grand slam will continue to be televised on SPN’s sports channels as well as live-streamed on its on-demand OTT platform SonyLIV.

Sony Sports Network has been the official broadcaster of the tournament in India for nine years. After successfully establishing itself as the home for tennis in India through the broadcast of multiple Grand Slams in 2022, the broadcaster will kickstart 2023 with the telecast of the Australian Open and Adelaide International tournament.

Sony Sports Network will broadcast the Adelaide International from 9 January 2023 and the Australian Open from 16 January 2023.

Rajesh Kaul, chief revenue officer, distribution & international business and head – sports cluster, Sony Pictures Networks India commented on this and said, “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 commented on this and 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.” Afaqs