ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) has announced the successful completion of multi-year agreements for Asian broadcast rights to Formula One motor racing and the leading tennis Grand Slams – the US Open and Wimbledon.
Coming just days after the news that ESS has won all Asian television rights to the English Premier League, the acquisitions reinforce the company’s position as Asia’s most complete sports provider to Asian sports viewers.
The new acquisitions are all for multi-year rights – three years for The Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon; four years for the US Open; and five years for the Formula One World Championships.
Says ESS Managing Director, Rik Dovey, ‘Rights holders know we have the best distribution of any sports networks in Asia and they appreciate the value we bring to their product through our superior production, expert commentary and pre- and post-game support programming. They have confidence that we can grow their events in Asia and that’s why they have committed to ESS on a long-term basis.
‘For us’, he continues, ‘having a long-term commitment means that we can continue to invest more resources into these products and further develop their audiences across Asia.’
FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
ESS has acquired the Asian cable and satellite rights to the FIA Formula One World Championships for 2001-2005.
The five-year deal represents the continuation of the successful partnership between ESS and Formula One that has seen viewership grow by nearly 10% in the space of a single year (1999-2000).
‘The introduction of the Malaysia Grand Prix has sparked increased interest in F1 racing throughout the Asian region. At the same time, ESS’ comprehensive support programming has converted casual viewers into dedicated fans,’ says Wayne Becker, Senior Vice President, Programming & Acquisitions and Event Management, ESS.
In addition to the live broadcasts of the Championship races, the company has created a range of support programming to provide motor sport fans with the most comprehensive package of news, background information, analysis and commentary of any network. These programmes include: live broadcast of the F1; pre-race programme, Raceday; ESS’ new post-race programme, Checquered Flag as well as Season Preview and Season Review highlight shows.
Formula One will be broadcast LIVE on STAR Sports Asia and STAR SPORTS India each fortnight. For further broadcast details, please log onto www.espnstar.com
TENNIS
ESS has acquired the exclusive television and syndication rights for Asia to the US Open Tennis for the next four years and the exclusive Asian cable and satellite rights to The Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon for the next three years.
According to the Wimbledon Television Marketing Director, Ian Edwards, ESS’ proven ability to value-add to sport properties was a deciding factor in the award of multi-year rights to the company:
‘ESS has taken full advantage of the opportunity to produce quality programmes in its own style from the Wimbledon grounds. In doing so, it has identified with the Club’s policy of making The Championships available to the largest possible audience throughout the world. The image of the Club and The Championships has been enhanced as a result, and Wimbledon remains the most widely seen of all tennis tournaments.’
For nearly a decade, ESPN STAR Sports (and its predecessor Prime Sports) has brought all the excitement of the US Open and Wimbledon to Asian tennis fans. Over that time, the network has consolidated its position as Asia’s leading tennis broadcaster, both in terms of broadcast hours and the quality of its coverage.
In total, the six ESPN and STAR Sports networks will deliver more than 500 hours of the best tennis coverage available on television throughout Asia.
Coverage includes the two Grand Slams (Wimbledon and the US Open); the ATP Tour World, Championship and International Series; the women’s WTA Tour; ATP Tennis Show; Seniors Nation Cup and the ATP Masters Series
Wimbledon and the US Open will be broadcast LIVE across Asia on STAR Sports Asia and STAR Sports India*. In 2001, the Wimbledon tournament will take place between 25 June and 8 July. This year’s US Open is scheduled for 27 August – 9 September.
STAR Sports, reaching well over 56 million households in Asia, will support its coverage of the Grand Slam matches with a comprehensive package of highlights, profiles of top competitors and Asian contestants plus interviews with former and current star players, coaches and even the competitors’ parents.
The STAR Sports team will head to Wimbledon and New York to provide viewers with on-the-spot news and information. Mats Hsu once again heads the Mandarin service, supported by the expert commentary of Hu Na. On the English-language service, Alan Wilkins, John Dykes and former tennis champion, Vijay Armitraj will keep viewers informed.
ESPN STAR Sports is a 50:50 joint venture between two of the world’s leading cable and satellite broadcasters, ESPN Inc. and STAR TV. We are Asia’s leading sports broadcaster that reaches over 55 million households for ESPN and over 56 million households for STAR Sports (as at November, 2000). Our networks bring the world’s premier live sports and leading regional events to viewers 24 hours a day. ESPN STAR Sports’ Event Management Group stages, manages and promotes sporting events around Asia.
For further information, please contact:
Stephanie Green Chen:
Manager Corporate Communications
ESPN STAR Sports
e-mail: chens@espnstar.com
Tel : (65) 488 6134
* Wimbledon men’s & ladies’ singles semi-finals and finals will be shown on a 3-hour delay on STAR Sports India.