Asia’s leading sports broadcaster, ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) continues to deliver the best sports programming in golf as it secured exclusive cable and satellite rights to the prestigious British Open taking place on 18 to 21 July 2002 at the Muirfield Golf Links, East Lothian, Scotland. ESS also secured the rights for the 2003 British Open.

The British Open joins a stellar list of the world’s top golf events and tours that ESS already airs on its networks which include US Open Golf, The Masters, PGA Grand Slam of Golf, US PGA Tour, US Senior PGA Tour, LPA Golf and the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

Rik Dovey, managing director of ESPN STAR Sports: ‘The growing popularity of golf is at an all-time high and we deliver the most comprehensive coverage of the sport in Asia.’

In peoplemetered markets, research shows a consistent and considerable viewing audience for golf. In Taiwan and Singapore, 61% and 46% respectively of male professionals, managers, executives and businessmen watch golf on ESPN and STAR Sports. In India, 48% of an upscale male audience 25 years old and above are seen to watch ESPN STAR Sports. (Sources: AC Nielsen Taiwan, TN Sofres Infosys Singapore and TAM India Media Xpress)

The British Open is the oldest of the four majors, and features the best professional golf has to offer. The prize money for this year was given a massive boost with the winner’s cheque now at 700,000 Sterling Pounds, so this year’s champion will receive double the prize Paul Lawrie won three years ago at Carnoustie.

Approximately five hours of live programming a day on the British Open will air on ESPN Asia, ESPN Taiwan and ESPN Philippines beginning 18 July 2002.

For further information please contact:

Stephenie Vasko
ESPN STAR Sports
T: (65) 6488 6129
E: vaskos@espnstar.com

Mai Tatoy
ESPN STAR Sports
T: (65) 6488 6134
E: tatoym@espnstar.com