In a groundbreaking development for tennis enthusiasts, Sky Sports has recently unveiled a comprehensive deal that expands its coverage of the sport, promising to broadcast live tennis for an impressive 48 weeks per year. The new agreement encompasses a staggering total of 80 tournaments annually, totaling over 4,000 matches, with Sky Sports committing £10 million per year for the broadcasting rights.
Under this landmark deal, Sky Sports will feature an extensive array of tournaments, including the prestigious ATP 1000 Masters, WTA 1000 events, as well as 500s and 250s. Notably, the ATP Finals and WTA Finals are included in this coverage. However, it’s important to note that domestic tournaments, such as Queen’s, are part of separate agreements, like the one the BBC currently holds with the LTA.
To enhance the viewer experience, Sky Sports is poised to launch a dedicated channel specifically tailored for tennis coverage. This new channel will be spearheaded by presenter Gigi Salmon, complemented by the expertise of renowned tennis figures Tim Henman and Laura Robson.
Expressing enthusiasm for this milestone, Stephen van Rooyen, CEO of Sky UK and Ireland, highlighted, “This is a fantastic time to see the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports across our markets, as tennis enters a new era with fresh and exciting talent making their way to the top of the sport. We are committed to bringing the two Tours together to elevate both male and female stars and deliver world-class coverage of the 80 events across 48 weeks of the year; creating a brand-new home for tennis fans.”
Sky Sports boasts a rich history with tennis, having held the UK rights for 25 years before they transitioned to Amazon Prime in 2018. With this renewed commitment, viewers might feel a sense of tennis returning to its roots, although the ad-free coverage provided by Amazon will be missed.
Mark Webster, CEO of ATP Media, expressed his excitement, stating, “We are extremely excited by the commitment we are seeing from Sky to both men’s and women’s tennis. ATP Media prides itself on producing and delivering the huge amount of world-class content generated on the ATP Tour and the three Sky entities have shown themselves to be the perfect partners to provide this content to our many tennis fans.”
Webster added, “We share many of the same values, striving for innovation and excellence, and we hope this is just the start of an amazing new chapter for tennis in these Sky markets.”
‘The start of an amazing new chapter for tennis’ 🤝🎾pic.twitter.com/NQ2hlFLEtb
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) November 24, 2023
The strategic alliance between Sky Sports and the tennis world signifies a promising future, ushering in an era of unparalleled coverage and exposure for both ATP and WTA Tours across the Sky platform. As the new chapter in tennis broadcasting unfolds, fans eagerly anticipate the immersive experience promised by this dynamic partnership.
