SuperSport, the pay-television broadcaster that operates in sub-Saharan Africa, has struck a three-year extension to its rights deal for tennis grand slam the Australian Open.
The agreement with Australian Open organiser Tennis Australia concerns rights to the tournament from 2019 to 2021.
Along with extensive coverage of the Australian Open and qualifying events for the slam, the deal will see the Laver Cup tournament broadcast into 54 countries in Africa, including South Africa, for the first time.
Also included are lead-in tournaments: the Australian and Asia-Pacific Wildcard playoffs, Hopman Cup, World Tennis Challenge, and ATP men’s matches for the Brisbane International and Sydney International.
SuperSport has partnered with Tennis Australia for over two decades and its Australian Open coverage will include two simultaneous linear television feeds, mobile and internet, as well as live and on-demand broadcast with additional coverage of news, results and videos online.
“SuperSport has over the years enjoyed a successful partnership with Tennis Australia which has seen the Australian Open become one of the most watched grand slams across sub-Saharan Africa while assisting us in extending our footprint on the continent,” Gideon Khobane, SuperSport’s chief executive, said.
“The new deal, with the added content, shows the trust Tennis Australia has in us as a broadcaster to help them reach new markets and grow the event across the African continent.”
The agreement was announced today (Monday) as the 2018 Australian Open commenced in Melbourne.
South Africa’s main hope, men’s world No.12 Kevin Anderson (pictured), crashed out to Britain’s Kyle Edmund earlier today.