WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., November 10, 2003 — The USTA and CBS Sports announced a landmark broadcast television partnership that includes an extension of CBS Sports’ domestic rights to the US Open through 2006, with a USTA option to extend the deal for an additional two years (2007-2008).
The partnership includes live coverage on select weekends of the proposed US Open Series, a series of summer professional tennis events that will lead into the US Open. The Series is tentatively scheduled to launch with select tournaments in 2004, with expansion planned in 2005. Overall, the new deal provides for over 60 hours of programming devoted to the US Open, other summer tournaments, and special USTA programming each year.
The broad-reaching deal also includes increased on-air support of the US Open and the sport of tennis, during the months leading up to and including the US Open.
US Open:
The new deal includes 48 hours of US Open television coverage each year, including six days of coverage over two weekends; the continuation of the primetime Women’s Singles Final; a late-night highlights show; a national telecast of Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day; a US Open preview show leading into the tournament; and four episodes of ‘Topspin,’ the USTA’s
youth-targeted tennis television program to be aired on Saturdays during the summer months. The US Open schedule remains similar to recent years, with possible adjustments to be considered for Finals Weekend in future years.
USA Network last year signed a new six-year agreement for cable broadcast rights for the US Open, for weekday coverage of the event.
US Open Series:
Building on the longstanding success of CBS’ 35-year US Open
partnership, the new agreement provides a commitment from CBS to produce and broadcast live weekend coverage of up to four professional tennis events linked to and leading up to the US Open – – particularly for those tournaments that could become combined men and women tournaments.
This new CBS commitment, along with the already announced USA Network agreement, would provide a cohesive, consistent television package for the sport leading up to the US Open. The USTA has been working with the WTA, the ATP and several U.S. tournament owners to launch the ‘US Open Series’ with select tournaments in 2004, and expanding to additional summer tournaments in 2005.
‘We consider our CBS partnership to be one of the strongest in sports, as we continue to create innovative television concepts to grow the game – – from the Women’s Prime Time Final to the proposed US Open Series,’ said Arlen Kantarian, Chief Executive, Professional Tennis, USTA. ‘This new deal sets the stage for a consistent television viewing platform for tennis throughout the summer. We look forward to continuing our discussions with
the WTA, the ATP and tournament owners to now make this concept a reality.’
‘We are pleased to extend our relationship with the USTA and to continue to broadcast US Open Tennis Championships, the most important tournament in America,’ said Sean McManus, President of CBS Sports. ‘CBS Sports and the USTA began a partnership with coverage of the US Open 35 years ago and we look forward to playing a part in the proposed US Open Series which will be a wonderful promotional opportunity for the entire sport.’
‘By embracing the US Open Series, CBS has once again combined good business with a continued commitment to promote and develop the growth of tennis,’ said Alan Schwartz, USTA Chairman of the Board and President.
The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. It owns and operates the US Open, the largest annually attended sporting event in the world. In addition, it owns the 96 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup,
Olympic and Paralympic Games. A not-for-profit organization with more than 670,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds to promote and develop the growth of tennis, from the grass roots to the professional levels.
For more details contact:
David Brewer
Director of Professional Tennis
+1 914-696-7222 tel
+1 914-696-7052 fax
brewer@usta.om
http://www.usta.com