Sony Pictures Network (SPN), the Indian pay-TV broadcaster, has extended its exclusive rights for the Australian Open grand slam tennis tournament across India and the subcontinent for another three years.
The extension, struck with governing body Tennis Australia, will see the broadcaster continue to exclusively air the tournament on its linear sports channels and Sony LIV streaming service across India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam scheduled on the tennis calendar. The new contract builds on SPN’s coverage of the tournament since 2015 and will cover the 2026 to 2028 editions. The last renewal covered the 2023 to 2025 editions.
The 2026 Australian Open will run from January 12 to February 1.
Rajesh Kaul, SPNI’s head of sports business, has said: “The Australian Open has become a marquee event for tennis fans across India and the subcontinent, and we are delighted to extend our decade-long partnership with Tennis Australia.
“With comprehensive coverage on both television and digital, a live studio show featuring expert panellists, multi-language broadcasts with expert commentary and engaging highlight content, we aim to deliver an immersive experience for the first Grand Slam of the year that brings the energy and excitement of Melbourne Park closer to fans than ever before.”
SPN holds the rights in the region to two of the four tennis Grand Slams, having extended its exclusive rights for Roland-Garros ahead of the 2025 edition, with its new contract with the French Tennis Federation governing body running through 2027.
The broadcaster previously held the rights to the US Open Grand Slam from 2022 to 2024, before rival media group JioStar took over the rights earlier this year in a deal that runs through 2030. JioStar also holds the rights to the UK’s Wimbledon Championships grand slam in the region.
Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley has said: “India and the subcontinent have an incredibly deep connection to tennis, and this agreement ensures they’ll continue to enjoy the very best of Melbourne Park across every screen.
“Together with SPNI, we’re committed to delivering world-class coverage, unforgettable stories and a viewing experience that captures everything that makes the AO one of the great global sporting events.”
The Australian Open, meanwhile, has recently bolstered its commercial portfolio with several new sponsors ahead of the next edition, announcing its first cryptocurrency partnership with digital asset platform Nexo yesterday and yoghurt brand YoPro last week.
In October, meanwhile, the organization secured international healthcare group Bupa as the tournament’s official healthcare partner and digital health partner, while also adding Pernod Ricard-owned spirits brand Altos as the official tequila of the marquee event.
Other prominent sponsors include Dubai-based airline Emirates, tyre manufacturer Pirelli, car brand Kia, luxury watchmaker Rolex, and M&M’S Australia, the Australian subsidiary of the chocolate brand owned by snack manufacturer Mars Wrigley.
