UK pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sports has secured a five-year deal in the UK and Ireland to show tennis’ US Open grand slam through a deal with the US Tennis Association (USTA), the national governing body and organizer of the tournament.
The deal, announced today (December 15), begins with the 2023 edition of the US Open, which will run from August 28 to September 10, and will conclude with the 2027 edition.
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It will see the tournament return to Sky in the UK and Ireland after a 25-year partnership between the two came to an end after the 2015 edition.
Sports broadcaster Eurosport showed the 2016 and 2017 editions in the UK and Ireland before tech giant Amazon snapped up the rights to show the 2018 to 2022 editions on its Prime Video streaming service.
The new deal will see Sky broadcast a minimum of 135 hours across all courts, both the men’s and women’s singles competitions, and the doubles, mixed doubles, junior, and wheelchair competitions. Coverage will be provided on its linear, digital, and social channels.
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Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, the multinational media and entertainment giant that owns Eurosport, still has the rights across several territories in Europe and this year secured record viewership.
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By GlobalDataESPN, another sports broadcaster, currently shows the US Open domestically through a deal that began in 2015, with this year’s tournament being the third most viewed since it acquired the rights.
Jonathan Licht, managing director of Sky Sports, said: “We are very excited to partner with the USTA once again to deliver the US Open, one of the greatest Grand Slam Tennis tournaments in the world.
"We have had a great history with the USTA and remember Andy Murray’s 2012 US Open win as one of the great moments on Sky Sports. This is another huge sporting event for our viewers, and we look forward to bringing tennis fans more of what they love and welcoming in new fans to the sport.”
Kirsten Corio, chief commercial officer of the USTA, added: “The USTA and Sky Sports have a long history together and it's an exciting time to be partnering once again.
"We’re looking forward to showcasing the US Open to an increasing number of fans in the UK and Ireland over the next five years as the sport continues to grow and a new generation of stars emerges.”
Elsewhere in tennis, it was announced today that international sports marketing agency IMG will continue to manage the commercial rights of tennis’ prestigious Wimbledon Championships after extending its long-standing partnership with tournament organizers the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images
