The deal will emulate European Tour Productions - a joint venture between IMG Media and the European Tour – and see a new joint-venture company manage all television production and global distribution of the Asian Tour, enhancing tour-wide sponsorship agreements for the tournament.
“This is a milestone development for the Asian Tour,” said Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han. “We remain fully committed to establishing playing opportunities and increasing prize funds for our elite players in Asia, and a solid television platform will help the Asian Tour to achieve these goals.
“Given the strength of this landmark announcement, the Asian Tour is committed to staging a minimum of four new tournaments in 2011.”
IMG has represented the worldwide media rights of the Asian Tour since January 2009, during which time the tournament’s television packages have reached over 40 countries and 400 million homes.
