FIC Asia secures Australian Open rights

Fox International Channels (FIC) Asia, a broadcast subsidiary of US media company 21st Century Fox, has acquired rights across 20 Asian territories for the Australian Open tennis grand slam tournament.

The agreement between FIC Asia and the Tennis Australia national governing body covers Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, North Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

The length of the multi-year deal, which starts immediately and covers television, online, mobile and IPTV platforms, has not been disclosed.

FIC Asia will show more than 100 hours of live coverage plus support programming every year, with commentary in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. From 2015, coverage will also be available in Thai, Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia.

FIC Asia already has rights to the Wimbledon and French Open grand slams.

The 2014 Australian Open is currently taking place in Melbourne and will conclude on January 26.